Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

On 1 August 2019, Professor Dawn Chatty gave this lecture at Arup's offices in London titled 'Syria: The Making and Unmaking of a Refuge State'. Dawn's book of the same name was published by Hurst & Co in 2018.

The mass influx of peoples into Syria over the last 150 years, including Circassians, Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews, Armenian, Albanians, Kosovars, created a modern nation of great cultural hybridity. Until recently this was the source of its openness to contemporary waves of forced migrants including Palestinians, Lebanese, and Iraqis. Now with the tables turned Syrians have sought refuge and sanctuary among its neighbouring states. This lecture examines the history of Syria - Bilad-al-Sham – in the late Ottoman Empire and since World War One as it welcomed refugees and other uprooted peoples from across the region. It also draws some provisional conclusions regarding displaced Syrians contemporary welcome in neighbouring states. 

The lecture is opened by Suzanna Joy, an Arup Associate. Dawn Chatty is then introduced by Dr Ammar Azzouz, architect at Arup, and an author of ‘A tale of a Syrian City at War: Destruction, Resilience and Memory’.

Related content

Professor Dawn Chatty People

Syria: The Making and Unmaking of a Refuge State Publications

The Syrian Humanitarian Disaster Research