MASSAR

Backgrounder
Overview Massar is a non-governmental, non-profit project with a simple premise, ambitious aim, and ground-breaking impact. The simple premise is that providing young people with the capacity and hunger for self-directed learning is the best investment any country can make in building a sustainable future. The ambitious aim is represented by Massars deliberate intent to reach, inspire and empower eight million young people across the length and breadth of Syria. The ground-breaking impact derives not just from the direct effect of Massars programmes on those young people, but also from the role Massar finds itself playing nationally as pioneer and exemplar in its field. Within Syria, Massar has become integral to the countrys thinking on the role of civil society, definitions of active citizenship, volunteerism, sustainable rural communities, urban planning, capacity-building, benchmark standards for public works, competency-based school curricula, the professionalisation of the NGO sector and its effective relationship with government. Massar is emerging as a core component in Syrias redefinition of itself as part of the fast-moving modern world. The vision behind Massar focusses on Syrias future, and in particular on how the young people of today can play an active role in shaping their country and society tomorrow. Syria is a nation with 60% of its population aged below 25, 40% below 15, and that demographic represents either a huge challenge or a huge opportunity. Syrias response has been to make an investment in human capital central to its national planning, to accelerate mainstream educational reform, liberalise private sector alternatives, and at the same time to encourage complementary third way non-governmental platforms for social development, of which Massar is now a substantial example. Where Massar is distinct, and certainly unique in the scale of its national agenda, is that its goal is to provide much more than just knowledge and technical skills. Within its target group of 5- to 15-year-olds Massar aims to develop EQ as well as IQ, to encourage insight, creativity and critical thinking, to explore issues, risks and choices, and to emphasise initiative and personal responsibility. From that can grow individuals and communities with an international perspective, able to shape their own affairs, thrive in changing times and make a positive contribution to the life of others. Massar recognises that the world into which these young people are growing is becoming ever more complex and interdependent. For example, it is calculated that by 2020 the volume of information in the world will double every 75 days. Young people without the means to navigate and decode this world of information, media and global communication are both vulnerable to exploitation and dependent on others. Empowering young people is an essential part of building a healthy and sustainable society for Syrias future.

Massars programmes There are four main channels by which Massar reaches and engages its target audience. A major discovery centre in a striking new building in central Damascus will act as the physical hub of all national activity, as well as creating a uniquely stimulating learning environment. Smaller regional centres provide a local resource in each of Syrias thirteen other Governorates. A programme of touring activities covers all parts of the country, using cultural centres as venues. Activities are facilitated by a specially trained group of young Syrians, now known as the Green Team. Web and IT-based activities and resources enable young people to appreciate technologys capacity to connect internationally, share and develop new skills. To date over 135,000 young people, together with teachers and parents, have attended the touring activity, which has visited over 120 cities, towns and villages. The first regional centre, which opened in Lattakia in September 2007 in Lattakia, attracted over 20,000 visitors in its first year. Two more are now in preparation, in Homs and Aleppo. The Massar website is currently being beta-trialled with its users and will go fully live in early 2009. IT-based volunteer and collaborative learning projects have been running successfully since 2007. The design of the Damascus discovery centre is complete and construction work will start in the Spring of 2009. It is expected that 500,000 people will visit each year once it opens in 2012. At the heart of all Massars programmes is non-formal learning. Non-formal learning is distinct from conventional formal school education. There is no curriculum, timetable or exams. The learner can choose from a wide range of topics and issues. The process of learning is active defined and driven by the learner themselves, and reflecting their age, interest and individual learning style. To succeed the experience must be stimulating, enjoyable and rewarding. Individuals can set their own goals for attainment; there is no external assessment that implies success or failure. There is a strong emphasis on collaboration and a shared, social experience. Non-formal learning enables older generations parents and grandparents to join in and pass on their own knowledge and perspective. The learning journey is often non-linear, even random, and usually offers unexpected connections. Massars role is to shape and structure this learning process, and encourage widespread participation. The non-formal learning experiences provided by Massar encourage individuals to develop thinking skills and understanding that will provide them with a lifelong capacity to learn and contribute. At the same time Massars programmes will offer young people the opportunity to explore in depth a wide range of subject areas, to appreciate issues, and to understand the choices they have as members of a community, a nation and the global society. Access, diversity and cultural understanding The principle of all Massar programmes is that they are accessible to everyone. Young people are welcomed irrespective of gender, belief or background. Already 1.5% of all attendance at Massar activities is by those with special needs. Syrias society has historically been at ease with diversity and interchange with other cultures. Massar celebrates Syrias own culture while opening windows on cultures elsewhere. It fosters links with communities and organisations across the globe, and will promote the exchange of ideas and understanding among young people across nations.

Society and citizenship Syria today faces an increasingly complex and competitive future in a global economy and an information age. Its national strategy is premised on shifting from a subsidised semiclosed economy to a socially responsible, open-market economy and redefining the active partnership between the government, private sector, public sector and civil society. Redefining the contract between government and society requires shifts in attitude from both. Increasingly, Syria is looking to its people to take greater control of their lives and social systems. Active citizenship means greater direct individual responsibility and involvement. This could manifest itself in environmental or social activity, volunteering and pro bono public work, the forming of interest groups and knowledge communities, engagement in wider public debate on issues. Such engagement creates value politically, economically, socially and technologically. Massars goal is to foster in young people a sense of their own capacity to play a positive role in the world. World standards, benchmarking and capacity building Massar is a Syrian project which has commissioned world-class advisors, consultants and designers to carry out the development work under the direction of the local management team. Throughout, the project is being managed according to international standards. The discovery centre building is also being designed to incorporate the latest thinking on environmentally sustainable architecture. This will include water conservation and re-use, renewable energy, and natural temperature control systems. The development of the site is subject to a full Environmental Impact Assessment Study. European standards are being applied throughout in areas such as health and safety, and accessibility. In order to build local capability that can sustain the project over the long term, the project has involved Syrian architects, designers, engineers, manufacturers and suppliers during its development phases as well as during construction. Young Syrian architects and designers have been seconded to Copenhagen and London to working alongside the architects of the discovery centre. The project has involved experts from the museum and entertainment, science and technology, education and research, and commercial and political communities. Of particular importance to the planning is the feedback received from Syrias young people themselves. This comes from structured evaluation of responses to the activity programme already running, and will be strengthened further by the use of childrens advisory panels.

Massar the institution Massar is directed by Robin Cole-Hamilton, who came from a museum career in the UK to establish the project. The project team, now numbering over 50 people, is otherwise all Syrian. Massar currently forms part of The Syria Trust for Development, a national non-profit, non-governmental organisation under the patronage of Syrias First lady, Her Excellency Mrs Al-Assad. The Massar project team was established in February 2005. As part of the Syria Trust for Development, Massar has access to services such as research, shares resources such as Human Resources, runs its accounts within the Trusts audited finance system, and collaborates with other Trust projects for more effective delivery to beneficiaries. Over time, as Massar grows, the intention is to devolve day-to-day operations from the Trust, while retaining its emphasis on transparency and due process, and remain linked only at a governance/board level. Massar is independent of government, but maintains close working relationships with Ministries, especially in the areas of education and culture, and bodies such as the UN and EU. Massars funding to date has come from a variety of sources. Corporate donors in Syria have funded development work and the touring activity programme. Grant-giving Trusts have contributed to initiatives such as the web-site. Private donors in Syria and overseas have enabled the design work to be done for the discovery centre and its surrounding park. Massar will receive a grant from Government for the discovery centres construction. Massar will continue to depend upon the generosity of donors for the establishment of its national programme, and the creation of an endowment to cover its long-term running costs. Support is expected to come from individuals, grant-giving trusts and corporations who see the value of investment in Syrias human capital, and who wish to make a commitment to the countrys future. Massar timeline February 2005 July 2005 July 2006 October 2006 December 2006 September 2007 April 2008 July 2008 Spring 2009 Spring 2009 Autumn 2009 Autumn 2010 Spring 2012

Project team formed First touring activity started Massar name and branding launched Massar branding shortlisted for European design award Henning Larsen appointed architects for discovery centre Lattakia regional centre opened (theme: sound, music) Massar featured as case study in Harvard MBA course 100,000 children through touring activity Massar website launches First Massar-e centre opens in Lattakia Homs regional centre opens (theme: media) Aleppo regional centre opens (theme: health) Damascus discovery centre opens

The discovery centre

The largest and most complex component of Massar is the discovery centre in Damascus, due to open in 2012. The design of the centre takes as its inspiration the Damascus Rose, and its volumes, shapes, patterns and materials all draw on Syrias architectural heritage, within a wholly modern piece of architecture. The buildings form is visually striking, yet it has been plotted against a very strong functional brief. The result is a sequence of practical but individual internal gallery spaces that are themselves part of the centres unique visitor experience. Within its 13,000m2 the discovery centre will house galleries, performance areas, library, resource and reference facilities, laboratories, space for pre-schoolers as well as cafes and shop. Architecture is by Henning Larsen, Denmark; landscape by Martha Schwartz; engineering by Buro Happold. The architects were appointed by international competition in December 2006. The internal spaces consist of six major interactive gallery areas and other public spaces arranged in spiral form around a central courtyard. The building has been designed to minimise the need for artificial climate control, to recycle grey water, and to use renewable energy sources. All public areas are linked by ramps which exceed European standards for wheelchair access. The centre will open for school groups in the mornings and for families during afternoons and evenings. The planned capacity is for attendance of around 500,000 a year.

Discovery centre exhibit development Four agencies are developing the discovery centres interactive galleries and exhibits: Furneaux Stewart/KCA; Real Studios; Northernlight; and Cultural Innovations. Work is currently at scheme design stage.

The touring programme Massar started its programme by developing a range of activities for young people which it could tour round the country, using Syrias cultural centres as venues. Each week-long programme attracts around 1,200 young people together with their families and teachers. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. For younger age groups, a stage show about how we learn by using our senses is followed by story-telling (using the imagination) and an archaeological dig (touch, sight and analysis). For the teenagers, sessions are managed as a debate about identity, rights, and issues that the children themselves want to discuss. Working in teams, the teenagers produce a newspaper front page and a video clip about the subjects they choose. These debates have covered topics such as immigration, housing, violence, health and work, as well as the Rights of the Child. For many of the young people involved this is the first time they have engaged in a serious discussion and felt their views are being listened to. The Green Team animators and facilitators have themselves have become positive role models for the children who attend the touring activities.

Massar-e Massar-e embraces the Massar web portal and its three IT-based programmes: EVolunteers, Collaborative Learning, and E-Debate. The web portal has been developed to provide a basis for predominantly user-generated content. So it provides online social space, email, reference sources, creative tools, virtual display areas, discussion forums, and applies a wiki-type approach to building its database of information. The website goes live after its beta-trial phase in early 2009. E-Volunteers launched in 2007 and its young participants achieved, among other things, the creation of what has now become Syrias national computer database of blood donors. Volunteer projects in 2008 include launching a local radio station for young people and teaching IT skills to the blind. Collaborative Learning links Syrian students with counterparts round the world to work together on a topic, which is brought together in the form of a study website. E-Debate is being developed jointly with the Open Society Institute. Here young people are given training in formal debating techniques and brought together with others from around the world to exchange views and argue points, both online and in the real world. Massar-e is now working closely with the Ministry of Communications and Technology to adopt their large portfolio of telecentres IT-equipped centres around the country.

Regional centres Thirteen regional centres in all are planned by Massar one in every governorate outside Damascus. The first, a 500m2 space which opened in Lattakia in September 2007, has the theme of Sound and Music. It provides not only an interactive exhibition on this theme, but programmes for schools, music and composition classes, competitions and family events. Building on the success of this model, the next regional centre will open in Homs in the Autumn of 2009 on the theme of News and Media, and the third is being planned for Aleppo in late 2010 on the theme of Health.