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, and community resilience through initiatives that bring people together across social, political, and cultural divides.
His work focuses on peacebuilding, youth leadership, democracy, intercultural dialogue, social cohesion, and community-led change. Through Peace of Art International and the WARD Coalition, he has supported emerging changemakers and grassroots efforts dedicated to peace, human dignity, and inclusive participation.
In recognition of his contributions to peacebuilding, Mahdi received the International Bremen Peace Award 2026 in the category of Pioneering Peace Work. He has spoken at international institutions, including the European Parliament, and collaborates with partners across civil society, academia, philanthropy, and public institutions.
His mission is to help build more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies where dialogue replaces division and communities are empowered to shape their own future.
