American University of Beirut

Stakeholder Consultations

​​​The Lancet-AUB Commission​ on Syria: Health in Conflict is keen to engage concerned colleagues, stakeholders and partners in discussion about its mission, objectives, research and program  of work. 

​​Prior to and since its launch, the Commission has convened consultations with diverse audiences, including thought, policy and practice leaders, experts and practitioners, and researchers.  The objectives of these consultations are to: 

  • Inform concerned stakeholders of the work of the Commission
  • Seek input on key issues and priorities for the Commission
  • Identify opportunities for engagement of concerned stakeholders in the Commission​
  • Establish resource circles to support the Commission throughout its work

HIGH-LEVEL SIDE EVENT AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | NEW YORK | 22 SEPTEMBER 2017


The Commission in partnership with the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition has organized a ​ High-Level Side Event during the High-Level Segment of the UN General Assembly on the subject of 'Protecting health care in armed conflict.' The 2-hour side event is sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Canada, the Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom. Th event has focus on: 

  •  The global scale of attacks on health care in armed conflict​​
  • The progress since the adoption of UNSC Resolution 2286 
  • Policy and practice options and next steps to be taken by UN Member States and the international community 

Attacks on health care, was also the subject of the first inquiry of the Commission. See Lancet Health Policy paper published in the Lancet in March 2017: 'Health wor​kers and the weaponisation of health care in Syria: A preliminary inquiry for The Lancet–American University of Beirut Commission on Syria​​.' 

For more information about the event, please visit the event page.  

EXPERT CONSULTATION | BEIRUT, LEBANON | 11 SEPTEMBER 2017


This consultation included Syrian experts and practitioners working various local or international organizations in Syria. The consultation is part of the effort of the Commission to gather evidence and listen to views of experts and practitioners working in various areas and settings in Syria. After an initial presentation from the Commission about its objectives, progress to date and program of work, Syrian experts gave presentations about health challenges and health system and humanitarian response to the crisis. The Commission and participants agreed to share data, continue the dialogue and exchange of perspectives, and prepare for a more expanded consultation.   

EXPERT CONSULTATIONS | TURKEY | 3-9 JULY 2017


 A Commission delegation, including Co-Chairs Iman Nuwayhid and Jennifer Leaning and Research Fellow Fatima Ghaddar, embarks on field visits to Gaziantep and Reyhanli in Turkey to meet with colleagues involved in the response to the Syria crisis and conducts expert consultations there and in Istanbul to gather evidence on the impact of the crisis and the role of various partners in the response.​


EXPERT CONSULTATION | ANKARA, TURKEY | 05 MAY 2017

This Expert Consultation was organized and hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) - Country Office in Turkey on 05 May 2017 at its premises in An​kara.​ 

Participants included WHO Representative to Turkey Dr Pavel Ursu, WHO staff of the Refugee Health Programme incl​uding Dr Matteo Dembech, academics from several universities in Turkey, and Commission Co-Chairs Jabbour and Nuwayhid and Research Fellow Ghaddar. 

The discussions focused on a review of the evidence and current research on Syrian refugees in Turkey and the health system response, collaboration with the Commission, and The Lancet Call for Papers on Health and the Syria Conflict.


EXPERT CONSULTATION | BIELEFELD, GERMANY | 28 MARCH 2017

This Expert Consultation was organized and hosted by the School of Public Health, University of Bielefeld, at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF) in Bielefeld, Germany. 

Participants included Dean of the School, Prof ​Oliver Razum, Prof Alexander Kraemer, Chair, Department of Public Health Medicine, academics and practititioners involved in refugee health issues from in Germany in addition to Commission Co-Chair Samer Jabbour and Research Fellow Mohammed Jawad. 

The discussion focused on a review of the evidence and current research on Syrian refugees in Germany, collaboration with the Commission, and The Lancet Call for Papers on Health and the Syria Conflict.


LEADERSHIP CONSULTATION | BEIRUT, LEBANON | 28 NOVEMBER 2016

This consultation was co-led by Tarek Mitri, former minister and current director of the AUB's Issam Fares Institute, and and Commission Co-Chair Iman Nuwayhid. Participants included key advisors to Government of Lebanon, representatives of main UN agencies, country di​​rectors of international non-governmental organizations involved in aid provision, heads of think-tanks and policy centers, and leading academic figures in Lebanon's universities.  

The diverse participants, some working in non-health fields, stressed the importance of the health lens to examine the Syria crisis and its impact on neighboring countries. They also emphasized the need for attending to key determinants of health such as education and employment. ​


AUB-WIDE CONSULTATION | BEIRUT, LEBANON | 25 NOVEMBER 2016

This consultation was attended by researchers from across AUB faculties, many of whom work on heath, nutrition and other issues related to Syrian refugees in Lebanon and are involved in the AUB4Refugees initiative.  

AUB researchers expressed interest in supporting the Commission and be involved in carrying out novel an​d impactful research work through the Commission's Thematic Groups. 


​EXPERT CONSULTATION | BEIRUT, LEBANON | 21 NOVEMBER 2016

This consultation included a diverse set of Syrian experts and practitioners who are working in Syria or in the neighboring countries of Lebanon and Turkey and providing medical care and public health services to refugees and host communities. 

Participants​ provided​​ critical views on the realities and challenges of provision of care, innovations of care approaches, and the difficulties faced by health professionals under difficult conditions in Syria and in neighboring countries. 


In addition to these formal meetings, consultations are also ongoing with many stakeholders through one-on-one discussions or meetings with stakeholder groups and organizations whose work and interests intersect with those of the Commission. ​

The Lancet-AUB Commission on Syria welcomes the opportunity to be in discussion with various stakeholders. If you wish to host a consultation for the Commission in country, please let us know at lcs-info@aub.edu.lb​


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