“I grew up surrounded by the memories of war. As a child, I remember looking at Beirut and seeing a city that seemed to have lost its colors. The damaged buildings, the stories of conflict, and the fear that lingered in people’s lives left a deep impression on me. What frightened me most was not what war had destroyed, but what it had taken from people’s sense of hope and belonging.
That image stayed with me for years. It made me wonder why children should grow up carrying the weight of conflicts they never chose. Perhaps that is why I dedicated my life to peacebuilding. Everything I do today is, in some way, an effort to help create a future where no child has to experience that same fear, and where communities can replace division with dialogue, dignity, and hope.”
— Mahdi Yahya
Early Life & Inspiration
Mahdi Yahya is a Lebanese peacebuilder, social entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of Peace of Art International. For more than a decade, he has worked to advance peacebuilding, dialogue, civic engagement, youth participation, and community resilience through grassroots initiatives, international partnerships, and cross-cultural collaboration.
His work focuses on building trust across social, political, and cultural divides and empowering communities to become active agents of positive change.
Growing up in Lebanon, a country shaped by both rich diversity and recurring challenges, Mahdi developed an early awareness of the importance of dialogue, coexistence, and community solidarity. Witnessing the impact of conflict, social fragmentation, and limited opportunities for young people strengthened his belief that sustainable peace must be built from the ground up through education, participation, and human connection.
These experiences would later become the foundation of his commitment to peacebuilding and social transformation.
Founding Peace of Art
In 2016, Mahdi founded Peace of Art International with the vision of creating inclusive spaces where young people and communities could engage in dialogue, develop leadership skills, and contribute to positive social change.
What began as a local initiative evolved into an international platform dedicated to peacebuilding, youth empowerment, human rights, democracy, intercultural dialogue, social cohesion, and arts-based approaches to community development.
Under his leadership, Peace of Art International has implemented numerous educational, cultural, and civic initiatives that bring together people from diverse backgrounds and strengthen community resilience.
Bridges Through Dialogue
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Bridges Through Dialogue 〰️
Building Bridges Through Dialogue
Throughout his career, Mahdi has worked to promote dialogue across religious, political, and social divides. His approach is rooted in the belief that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of trust, participation, dignity, and meaningful relationships between people and communities.
His work combines grassroots engagement with strategic partnerships, helping create opportunities for collaboration among civil society organizations, educators, youth leaders, artists, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
Through initiatives such as the WARD Coalition, he has supported emerging changemakers and strengthened networks committed to dialogue, inclusion, and democratic participation.
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Mahdi has participated in numerous regional and international initiatives focused on peacebuilding, leadership, democracy, and civil society development.
In 2018, he spoke at the European Parliament during activities marking the International Day of Democracy, contributing to discussions on youth engagement, civic participation, and the role of civil society in strengthening democratic societies.
He was also selected for the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung MENA Leadership Program, joining a network of emerging leaders committed to advancing democratic values, civic engagement, and regional cooperation.
Over the years, he has collaborated with international organizations, educational institutions, foundations, and civil society partners across Lebanon, Germany, Europe, and the wider region.
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In recognition of his contributions to peacebuilding and community-led social change, Mahdi Yahya received the International Bremen Peace Award 2026 in the category of Pioneering Peace Work.
Presented by Die Schwelle Foundation in Bremen, Germany, the award recognizes individuals and initiatives that make significant contributions to peace, justice, and nonviolent transformation. The recognition highlighted Mahdi’s commitment to building dialogue, empowering communities, and advancing innovative approaches to peacebuilding through education, culture, and civic participation.
His work has also been featured by various national and international platforms dedicated to leadership, peacebuilding, and social innovation.
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Mahdi believes that lasting peace is built when individuals and communities are empowered to participate, collaborate, and lead. His vision is to strengthen a global ecosystem of changemakers, organizations, and institutions working toward more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies.
Through Peace of Art International, the WARD Coalition, public speaking, writing, and future initiatives, he continues to advocate for a world where dialogue replaces division, diversity becomes a source of strength, and every individual has the opportunity to contribute to a more just and peaceful future.
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Mahdi Yahya combines a multidisciplinary academic background with more than a decade of practical experience in peacebuilding, civic engagement, leadership development, and social innovation.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design and Advertising from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) in Lebanon, where he developed a strong foundation in strategic communication, visual storytelling, public engagement, and creative approaches to social change. His academic training continues to influence his work today, particularly in the use of arts, culture, and communication as tools for dialogue, inclusion, and community transformation.
Building on this foundation, he pursued advanced studies in the Management of Social Institutions at IU International University of Applied Sciences in Germany, further strengthening his expertise in organizational leadership, nonprofit management, social entrepreneurship, governance, and sustainable institutional development.
In addition to his formal academic education, Mahdi has participated in numerous international leadership programs, professional trainings, policy dialogues, and capacity-building initiatives focused on peacebuilding, democracy, human rights, civic engagement, youth participation, social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, and organizational leadership.
His professional development includes participation in distinguished programs such as the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) MENA Leadership Program, which brings together emerging leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa to advance democratic governance, civic participation, and regional cooperation. He has also participated in leadership and civic engagement initiatives supported by international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as various regional and international institutions dedicated to social development, peacebuilding, and public leadership.
Over the years, he has continuously invested in lifelong learning through specialized trainings, conferences, fellowships, workshops, and international exchange programs, enabling him to bridge grassroots community engagement with strategic leadership, institutional development, and international collaboration.
Mahdi is fluent in Arabic, English, French, and German, allowing him to work across diverse cultural, linguistic, and international environments. His multilingual and multicultural experience has strengthened his ability to facilitate dialogue, build partnerships, and connect communities across different regions and backgrounds.
This combination of academic education, international leadership development, practical field experience, and cross-cultural engagement has shaped his approach as a peacebuilder, social entrepreneur, speaker, and founder committed to building more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies.
