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As Syria continues its transition, the path toward sustainable peace depends not only on political processes and civil society leadership, but also on the ability of entrepreneurs, innovators, and businesses to create opportunities that strengthen communities and foster long-term stability.

Building on the first session of this chapter, which explored the vital role of the private sector in peacebuilding, this discussion will focus on how entrepreneurship and innovation can drive inclusive economic recovery, strengthen social cohesion, and contribute to more resilient societies.

During this event, conversations will examine:

• The role of entrepreneurship in supporting peace and economic recovery
• How innovation and technology can strengthen resilient communities
• Building partnerships that create shared social and economic value
• Empowering youth and local communities through business opportunities
• Lessons from entrepreneurs driving positive social impact in fragile contexts
• Creating inclusive business models that contribute to long-term stability

Join us for an engaging conversation on how entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders can become active partners in shaping a more peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive future for Syria.

Our Keynote Speakers:

Reem Masri is an entrepreneur, social advocate, economic empowerment expert, and researcher specializing in women’s empowerment and refugee issues. A graduate of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Aleppo, she specializes in fashion and interior design. A supporter of the Syrian revolution from its earliest days, she was forced to leave Syria in 2012, where she spent years working with local and international organizations to advance women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and economic capacity building. She founded Dentelle in Turkey, an events, exhibitions, and conferences company that supported women entrepreneurs and expanded market access for Syrian products. After returning to Syria, she became Project Manager of the Ra’edat Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, serves as a consultant on service exports and international exhibitions with the Local Production & Export Development Authority (EPSDA), and leads the Souq Jarat Al-Qala’a initiative supporting small businesses and people returning from displacement. An alumna of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), she also appeared in the documentary Do Seagulls Migrate?, about displaced working women. She believes economic empowerment and entrepreneurship are essential pillars of recovery and building more sustainable and prosperous communities.

Layma Murtaza is a humanitarian tech entrepreneur, international development professional and humanitarian advocate whose career spans over 15 years at the intersection of crisis response, state building, economic justice, women’s rights, across Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Türkiye, Qatar and the broader MENA region. She has worked with the Aga Khan Foundation, the International Rescue Committee, the Danish Refugee Council, and the International Organization for Migration, and brings a deep commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. She has published and advocated on Afghan women’s right to work, education, and dignity, and served on the U.S. WPS Committee with CCSD alongside Rajaa Altalli supporting Syrian women in 2019 and 2020. She holds an MS in International Development Management from American University and an MA in Global Public Policy and Forced Migration Studies from the American University in Cairo.