About Us | Mirath Initiative

Who We Are

In 2004, a group of Syrians from different backgrounds and walks of life united in a shared interest in their cultural heritage and formed Syria Discovery-Tajwal, one of the first community-based tourism projects in the country. Now known as Mirath, meaning heritage, the initiative is dedicated to documenting and safeguarding Syria’s cultural heritage with the direct involvement of the local community.

Our Long-Term Commitment

Our ultimate goal is to establish a community-based heritage preservation network supported by the active engagement of the Syrian people in the protection and development of their cultural resources. In Post conflict Syria, these local initiatives will become the basis of a community-based tourism (CBT) network which will not only preserve our cultural heritage but generate much-needed income to various local communities, restore a sense of community identity and contribute to peacebuilding.

Hama's waterwheels-Syria Discovery's about us

Mirath Outcomes

Growth

To develop grassroots partnerships with like-minded and locally based initiatives within the civil society and academic sector
To network and exchange knowledge with other heritage preservation initiatives around the world, especially those operating during and in post-conflict countries
To be recognized and certified as a leading community-based heritage preservation network in Syria
To expand our module in heritage preservation under conflict to other initiatives with the same vision worldwide

Advocacy

To contribute to creating a resilient cultural heritage
To raise awareness of the importance of cultural heritage to re-establish community identity, support peacebuilding, and community development
To advocate for the importance of local cultural identity as a route to social inclusion and active citizenship
To support policy which fosters community engagement and ensures greater local benefits from cultural heritage
To collaborate with different stakeholders on the ground and with international organizations in order to conclude assessments about the present condition of cultural heritage
To promote CBT as a strategic tool for the improvement and diversification of rural livelihood in post-conflict society
To register the community aspirations and past efforts regarding the preservation process and to communicate that with the various stakeholders on both the local and the global level.
To connect other international heritage organizations to a reliable source of information in the field

Field Operation

To create a community-based monitoring and preservation network on the ground; Cultural Heritage Monitor (the website) is a tool to engage the people in documenting and preserving their cultural heritage resources
To establish a community network which documents, monitors and registers community aspirations / needed development projects relevant to their cultural heritage
To document and map the community potential for cultural heritage development
To provide logistical support (technical & capacity building) for the community with heritage documentation and preservation in collaboration with other international heritage preservation organizations
To jointly plan the basic infrastructure for cultural heritage tourism activities with the different stakeholders
To conduct joint-venture training workshops for the community on how to engage with different tourism activities (guiding, monitoring, and preservation & management)

Want To Know More!

Tajwal Program

Learn About Our Past Activities

Syria Exploration Program

Between 2004 and 2011, we conducted various documentation projects, action plans, feasibility studies and research to foster community engagement. Our monthly trekking and camping activities took place throughout Syria and in many parts of the Middle East.

Current Projects

Learn About Our Present Activities

Syria Documentation Program

Since 2011, Mirath has been monitoring and evaluating the cultural heritage situation in Syria and the greater Middle East. Mirath is dedicated to cultural heritage as a tool to bridge people’s differences and to contribute to peacebuilding.

The Phoenix Project

Our vision for a post-conflict Syria

Syria during post-conflict

The Phoenix Project is a community-based tourism network (CBT) which supports the development and exchange of information, facilitates stakeholder cooperation and contacts, improves the quality of development, and performs advocacy activities in the name of cultural heritage preservation.

Who We Are

Our Long-Term Commitment

Mirath Outcomes

Growth

To develop grassroots partnerships with like-minded and locally based initiatives within the civil society and academic sector

To network and exchange knowledge with other heritage preservation initiatives around the world, especially those operating during and in post-conflict countries

To be recognized and certified as a leading community-based heritage preservation network in Syria

To expand our module in heritage preservation under conflict to other initiatives with the same vision worldwide

Advocacy

To contribute to creating a resilient cultural heritage

To raise awareness of the importance of cultural heritage to re-establish community identity, support peacebuilding, and community development

To advocate for the importance of local cultural identity as a route to social inclusion and active citizenship

To support policy which fosters community engagement and ensures greater local benefits from cultural heritage

To collaborate with different stakeholders on the ground and with international organizations in order to conclude assessments about the present condition of cultural heritage

To promote CBT as a strategic tool for the improvement and diversification of rural livelihood in post-conflict society

To register the community aspirations and past efforts regarding the preservation process and to communicate that with the various stakeholders on both the local and the global level.

To connect other international heritage organizations to a reliable source of information in the field

Field Operation

To create a community-based monitoring and preservation network on the ground; Cultural Heritage Monitor (the website) is a tool to engage the people in documenting and preserving their cultural heritage resources

To establish a community network which documents, monitors and registers community aspirations / needed development projects relevant to their cultural heritage

To document and map the community potential for cultural heritage development

To provide logistical support (technical & capacity building) for the community with heritage documentation and preservation in collaboration with other international heritage preservation organizations

To jointly plan the basic infrastructure for cultural heritage tourism activities with the different stakeholders

To conduct joint-venture training workshops for the community on how to engage with different tourism activities (guiding, monitoring, and preservation & management)