Initial momentum to secure peace in Syria must be built on

With representatives of Syrian government and the opposition beginning talks on a ceasefire and peace-building process for the war-torn country in Geneva on Friday, the global leaders of more than 70 countries are scheduled to gather in London on Thursday to galvanize international resources and deliver assistance to the millions of people in Syria and neighboring regions desperately in need of help.

In Syria, where one family in two is homeless and three million children have no access to education due to the nearly five-year war, the two developments are encouraging signs, especially if the highly-anticipated peace talks can produce any result.

In reality, the consequences of the war that resulted from the "Arab Spring" protests in late 2010, which toppled governments in West Asia and North Africa, are still unfolding, spreading across its borders and affecting many countries.