Barbara Walters chats with Forward Syria
Swaying between art and seduction
Discussing monetary policy with the man in charge
Where the earth screams in horror
11/11/2010 - Issue 45
Searching for a job that makes a difference
Syria Trust for Development on Saturday held NGOs' Opportunity Exhibition at Massar center for Exploration.
In a small structure in the old fairgrounds in Damascus, next to where the Massar Discovery Center will be built, the Syria Trust for Development held a Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) Job Opportunity fair with the participation of several other developmental organizations early last month.
Keen Damascenes flocked from all the corners of the country to attend, packing the hall, resumes in hand, hoping for recruitment in the development sector.
Ziad Salah, a final college year student said: “I’m studying English Literature in Damascus University, and although I don’t have enough time for a full time job, I still hope to be accepted as an intern to gain enough practical skills before graduation.”
Marian Shamsin, PR director of Bidaya Organization said the exhibition allows organizations to present youth opportunities to establish their own projects through providing technical and financial support.
Additionally, all the visitors and those interested in recruitment were able to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the role of the participant NGOs, along their social and economical developmental effects.
Laila Rahma of the Said Development Foundation said: “NGOs Job Opportunity fair is a chance to introduce the mechanisms of the developmental sector, through the career development environment;” where many development-specific job opportunities were presented, such as Funding Procurement, Project Management, Social Development, and Environment Developmental, amongst others.
Also participating in this fair was the Syrian Trust for Development, Amaal, Bidaya, Ibdaa Bank, Little Roses Organization, Agha Khan Network for Development, Syria Environmental Society, and the Syrian Young Entrepreneurs Association.
Omar Abdul Aziz Hallaj, executive manager of the Syria Trust for Development, said: “The Syria Trust for Development took this initiative within in the framework of its collaboration plan, aiming to upgrade development awareness, promote participatory culture and find means for cooperation between all segments of society.”
Dina Saqr, 23, Kalamoon University: “This fair is an excellent opportunity for young Syrians to find a job to serve their country’s development. As sometimes we the youth need a motivation stronger than career or personal development.”
Abdul Kareem Riad, 26, an unemployed, journalism graduate said: “I heard about this fair through my friends, I didn’t want to come at first, but now that I’m here I’m seeing how beneficial it is. Not only do I get to apply for jobs in new interesting fields that weren’t available in Syria five years ago, but I get to be introduced to the different civil society organizations, developmental institutes, and NGOs, that work in Syria.”
Salim Muhammad Abul Khair, Business Development Specialist: “This is a wonderful opportunity for researching the Syrian labor market supply on one hand, and the Syrian labor market demand on the other. While at the same time, we get introduced to the myriad of different developmental projects and the kind of job positions introduced through them.”
It is hoped the fair will be turned into an annual event to shed light on developmental work, projects and initiatives launched by NGOs.
