Mahdi Yahya & Vera Al Mawla Facilitate “Arts and Culture in Peace-Building” Workshop at ROTA EMPOWER 2019 in Qatar
Doha, Qatar | 14–16 March 2019
In March 2019, Mahdi Yahya, Founder and Chairman of Peace of Art International, together with Peace of Art president Vera Mawla, was selected to facilitate a specialized workshop entitled “Arts and Culture in Peace-Building” during the 11th Annual EMPOWER Youth Conference organized by Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) in Doha, Qatar.
The EMPOWER conference is one of the region’s leading youth platforms, bringing together young leaders, social entrepreneurs, educators, activists, and development practitioners from across the Arab world to discuss innovative solutions to social challenges and explore ways to create positive change within their communities.
As part of the conference program, Yahya and Mawla led an interactive workshop exploring the role of arts and culture as powerful tools for peacebuilding, social cohesion, and community transformation. Drawing on the experiences of Peace of Art International in Lebanon, the workshop introduced participants to creative approaches that utilize artistic expression to combat violence, discrimination, hate speech, and sectarian divisions.
The workshop reflected the core philosophy behind Peace of Art International: that sustainable peace is built not only through political processes, but also through education, creativity, dialogue, and active civic participation. Through practical examples and real-life case studies, participants learned how artistic initiatives can strengthen community resilience, encourage intercultural understanding, and create opportunities for constructive engagement among young people from diverse backgrounds.
During the sessions, Mahdi Yahya shared insights from Peace of Art’s work with youth in Lebanon, highlighting how music, theatre, visual arts, and community-based cultural activities can serve as platforms for dialogue and reconciliation. He emphasized that art has the unique ability to transcend political, religious, and social barriers, enabling people to communicate across differences and build relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
The workshop also focused on capacity building and advocacy, equipping participants with practical tools to design and implement peace-oriented initiatives in their own communities. Discussions addressed the relationship between arts, human rights, social inclusion, and sustainable development, encouraging participants to view culture not merely as a form of expression, but as a strategic resource for social change.
A central message of the workshop was that young people are not only beneficiaries of development programs but essential agents of change. By empowering youth with creative skills, leadership opportunities, and platforms for participation, communities can foster a culture of peace capable of addressing long-standing social and political challenges.
For Peace of Art International, participation in EMPOWER 2019 represented an important opportunity to share its growing experience in peacebuilding with emerging leaders from across the region. It also reinforced the organization’s commitment to promoting the arts as a vehicle for dialogue, inclusion, and positive social transformation.
Mahdi & Vera Al Mawla at Hamad Bin Khalifa university
The workshop generated strong engagement among participants and contributed to broader conversations taking place throughout the conference regarding youth leadership, civic responsibility, and innovative approaches to sustainable development. Through interactive discussions and collaborative exercises, participants explored how artistic and cultural initiatives can become effective instruments for advancing peace, human rights, and social justice.
Mahdi Yahya’s contribution to EMPOWER 2019 further strengthened Peace of Art International’s regional presence and highlighted the growing recognition of arts-based peacebuilding as an effective approach to fostering resilient and inclusive societies throughout the Arab world.
The participation of Peace of Art International at EMPOWER 2019 reaffirmed a message that continues to guide its work today: when creativity is combined with dialogue and civic engagement, art becomes more than a form of expression—it becomes a catalyst for peace.
