The Syria Trust for Development is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that receives its funding from a variety of sources including international development agencies, corporations and private donations. With over 200,000 beneficiaries each year, the trust has already developed a number of projects including Firdos (meaning paradise) and Shabab (meaning youth). However its latest project, Massar (meaning path), is its most ambitious yet.
Though the Massar Discovery Centre is currently under construction, the programme itself started back in February 2005. Offering a range of activities for kids, its mission is to offer an alternative education. Massar focuses on Syria’s future, and in particular on how the young people of today can play an active role in shaping their country and its society. Syria is a relatively young nation with 60 per cent of its population aged below 25-years-of-age and 40 per cent below 15-years-of-age. Such demographics can either represent a huge challenge or a huge opportunity.
Massar uses creative learning techniques to inform, involve and inspire young nationals. It provides challenging interactive activities and environments to stimulate within Syria's young people: a greater creativity, a richer understanding of a fast changing world and a stronger sense of individual capability, responsibility and citizenship.
The learning experience is quite distinct from conventional formal school education. With no curriculum, timetable or exams, the student can choose from a wide range of topics and issues. The process is active – defined and driven by the learners themselves, tailored to their age, interests and individual learning styles.
This interactive learning experience will focus on five themed clusters: Beginnings, Life, Our World, Ideas, and Achievements. The clusters offer a journey of discovery supported by many activities including temporary exhibitions, laboratories, studio theatres, Internet access, a library and a rich spectrum of programmes and workshops.
Located in the heart of Damascus, the large Massar Discovery Centre complex is due to open in 2011. Designed by famed Danish architecture firm Henning Larsen, the visual cues are said to have taken inspiration from the Damascus Rose. What's more, the building has been designed to minimise the need for artificial climate control, to recycle grey water and to use renewable energy sources. While visually striking the project has been plotted against a strong functional brief. The result is a sequence of practical but individual internal gallery spaces that are themselves part of the centre’s unique visitor experience.
With a planned capacity of over 500,000 visitors a year, the Massar Discovery Centre will undoubtedly set the stage for many further regional educational projects. A righteous path no doubt.
