From Knowledge to Action: Mahdi Yahya Represents Peace of Art International at the Anna Lindh Foundation Forum 2025
Tirana, Albania | June 2025
Peace of Art International proudly participated in the Anna Lindh Foundation Forum 2025, one of the largest gatherings dedicated to intercultural dialogue and cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Held in Tirana, Albania, the Forum brought together thousands of participants from across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East under the theme “From Knowledge to Action: Redefining Dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean Region.”
Representing Peace of Art International, Founder and Chairman Mahdi Yahya was invited as a speaker and panelist to contribute to discussions on the role of culture, arts, and grassroots initiatives in strengthening dialogue and fostering peaceful societies. His participation reflected the growing recognition of Peace of Art International as a leading civil society organization promoting peacebuilding, youth empowerment, and intercultural understanding through creative approaches.
As part of the Forum’s official programme, Mahdi Yahya participated in the session entitled:
“Practices of Dialogue: Nurturing Bottom-Up International Cultural Relations”
The workshop explored how local communities, artists, youth organizations, and civil society actors contribute to building international cultural relations through grassroots initiatives. Organized within the framework of the Anna Lindh Foundation Forum, the session highlighted successful examples of dialogue-driven projects that strengthen cooperation across borders and encourage mutual understanding between diverse societies.
During the discussion, Yahya presented the experience of Peace of Art International and its work in Lebanon, Germany, and across the Euro-Mediterranean region. He emphasized the transformative role of arts and culture in creating safe spaces for dialogue, empowering marginalized communities, and addressing social challenges through creativity and civic engagement.
Drawing from nearly a decade of experience, he shared how Peace of Art International has utilized artistic expression, youth leadership programmes, cultural exchanges, and educational initiatives to promote social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. His contribution focused on the idea that sustainable peace is built not only through political agreements but also through meaningful human connections and community-based engagement.
A central theme of the session was the concept of bottom-up cultural diplomacy, where local actors and grassroots organizations become drivers of international cooperation. Yahya highlighted that artists, youth leaders, educators, and community organizers often play a crucial role in bridging cultural divides and creating opportunities for dialogue in contexts where traditional diplomatic channels may be limited.
Mahdi Yahya with fellow speakers and participants during the Anna Lindh Foundation Forum 2025 in Tirana, Albania, following the session “Practices of Dialogue: Nurturing Bottom-Up International Cultural Relations,” which explored the role of grassroots cultural initiatives in strengthening intercultural dialogue and international cooperation across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
The Anna Lindh Foundation Forum provided an important platform for exchanging ideas and experiences among participants from 43 countries across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Through workshops, plenary sessions, networking events, and collaborative discussions, the Forum encouraged participants to transform knowledge into practical action capable of addressing contemporary social and cultural challenges.
For Peace of Art International, participation in the Forum represented an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with organizations and institutions working in peacebuilding, cultural cooperation, education, and youth engagement. It also enabled the organization to showcase its innovative model of using arts and culture as tools for conflict transformation, inclusion, and community resilience.
The invitation to participate as a speaker further underscores the international recognition of Mahdi Yahya’s work and reflects the increasing relevance of Peace of Art International within regional and global conversations on intercultural dialogue. By sharing experiences from Lebanon and beyond, Yahya contributed valuable perspectives on how grassroots initiatives can support social cohesion and foster sustainable peace.
The Forum reaffirmed a principle that lies at the heart of Peace of Art International’s mission: that dialogue is most powerful when it emerges from communities themselves. Through creativity, participation, and cultural exchange, individuals can build bridges across differences and contribute to a more inclusive and peaceful future.
As Peace of Art International continues to expand its international engagement, its participation in the Anna Lindh Foundation Forum 2025 marks another important milestone in advancing cultural diplomacy, youth empowerment, and peacebuilding throughout the Euro-Mediterranean region.
