Meet us

Sarra Messaoudi is a peacebuilding and NGOs development practitioner . With a Master's Degree in Management of Non-Profit Organisations, she has dedicated her full time passion to empowering youth-led communities and initiatives. Since 2019, Sarra has worked on advancing, maturing, and professionalising the Youth, Peace, and Security space . In 2022, Sarra was elected as the MENA representative ISG at United Network of Young Peacebuilders and became part of the Tunisian Facilitators coalition . Sarra is currently a regional lead of the MENA Coalition on Youth , Peace and Security where she works and advocates for just peace and youth leadership in the MENA region.

Ahmed Alawmi, hailing from Libya,dedicated advocate for youth empowerment and peacebuilding in the MENA region With a passion for empowering youth and advancing peace in the region, Ahmed plays a vital role in securing resources to support the coalition's impactful initiatives

„Yara Jrashi is a 29-year-old third generation refugee and dedicated advocate for non-violent resistance, peace and security, and social justice. She serves as a youth leader and apprentice journalist and writer, with experience in community work and international NGOs. Yara is a co-founder and board member of "IBTIKAR Palestine for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship" , where she focuses on driving the WPS agenda forward by empowering women through capacity building, innovative and community financing, and advocating for human rights.

Yara also plays a pivotal role in the MENA Coalition for Youth, Peace & Security focusing on the intersection between YPS and WPS, working to amplify the voices of young women in peacebuilding efforts.

Additionally, since joining the German Civil Peace Service program in Palestine in 2016, she has made it her mission to empower women and youth and promote peace, consistently going the extra mile to create a better future for all, without leaving anyone behind."

Montasser is a young communication leader, creative writer, and storyteller who works with NGOs and the MENA Coalition on YPS. He aims to build peace and protect young people's voices in the MENA region by increasing online awareness, sharing content, and engaging young people through social media strategies, creative campaigns, blog posts, books, newsletters, stories about human rights defenders, and conducting research.

Aram Mahmood is a seasoned and adept professional with an extensive educational background in architectural engineering from the Faculty of Engineering. She brings a rich portfolio of experiences throughout working with CSOs and INGOs, primarily focusing on programmes management, and strategic implementation in challenging environments in Yemen. Aram’s career is marked by her role as a co-lead of programmes committee in the MENA Coalition for YPS leadership in overseeing comprehensive programmatic functions including strategic planning. Aram’s proactive approach is to commit to work and defend for human rights in general and youth and women role in national, regional and global level (YPS and WPS), she has participated in different international and regional workshops and forums that aim to enhance the role of CSOs, youth and women in peace-building and coexistence.

Abdulrahman Karim is a highly dedicated and passionate human rights defender and civil activist from Iraq. He is currently serving as the Human Rights and Freedoms Program Manager at the Peace and Freedom Organization, as well as the Youth Peace and Security Specialist in Erbil, Iraq. Abdulrahman's work since 2018 has been focused on promoting and advancing youth participation in peacebuilding and decision-making processes within Iraq and the wider MENA region. Through his work, he has established strong relationships with various local, regional, and international organizations, using his platform to amplify the voices of youth and advocate for their rights. In his role as programming co-lead at the MENA Coalition on YPS , he works on the development and implementation of programs and joint actions.

Hamza Essa from Jordan, the Community Co-lead in the MENA Coalition on Youth, Peace, and Security, works in the humanitarian sector in Jordan on promoting the principles of peace and human rights, as well as advocating for social justice and women empowerment.

Dr. Main Alshamayleh is a professional with expertise in various fields including International security studies, Youth & Women Engagement, Parliamentary Affairs, Climate Security, Political Parties Development, Human Rights, Advocacy & Election Campaign, and Peacebuilding . He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations .Dr. Main has an extensive professional background, having served as the former Director of Civil Society Affairs and Human Rights, Director of Political Parties, and Parliamentary Affairs . He played a crucial role in shaping the Amman Declaration on Youth Peace & Security and building the national coalition to activate SCR 2250 on the national level . He is a member of the Global Coalition on Youth Peace & Security and the national coalition for activating SCR 1325 in Jordan . Additionally, Dr. Main is the co-founder of the MENA Coalition for Youth, Peace & Security and was honored as the first-place winner of the Middle East Partnership Initiative prize for the year 2021 (MEPI Programs).