Syria Peace Project
Who we are
The Syria Peace Project (SPP) is a faculty-led, “think-and-do” initiative based at Johns Hopkins University, in collaboration with global partners, dedicated to advancing sustainable peacebuilding efforts in Syria.
As Syria enters a pivotal phase of recovery and development, its people continue to face a complex web of domestic and regional conflicts, further exacerbated by widespread humanitarian inequities including health and and other essential services.
Building on the team’s recognition through the Johns Hopkins Discovery Award (2022) and the Nexus Award (2024), the SPP harnesses the University’s multidisciplinary strengths in conflict resolution, public administration, design innovation, and health systems.
This is coupled with the practical expertise of an expansive international network, both within and outside Syria, to address these challenges through research-informed, action-oriented solutions.
Our Vision
To inform and implement robust, evidence-based humanitarian-development-peacebuilding projects that address conflicts in Syria at all levels—from local communities to regional struggles—fostering a resilient and inclusive society.
Our Mission
The Syria Peace Project (SPP) advances its mission by drawing on interdisciplinary expertise from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), the School of Medicine, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Center for Biomedical Innovation and Design. It also partners closely with Syrian-American organizations active on the ground. SPP’s approach is anchored in the following pillars:
1. Conflict Research
SPP conducts comprehensive, participatory research that engages diverse stakeholders to map the layers of conflict within and around Syria. This work aims to identify patterns of violence, sources of tension, and opportunities for strategic interventions.
2. Integrated Peacebuilding Solutions
SPP designs and implements conflict-transformative programs that integrate humanitarian service delivery, local capacity building, and inclusive governance development. These interventions are co-created with local actors to foster equitable recovery and sustainable peace.
3. Policy Guidance
SPP develops evidence-based tools to evaluate the impact of interventions on community cohesion. Drawing from these insights, it formulates policy recommendations that inform local, national, and international actors working toward durable peace in Syria and similar post-conflict settings.