For many of us from the region, conflict is not a moment in time; it is something that has shaped entire generations.
For many in the Middle East, living through conflict is not distant. It is daily.
Since late February 2026, tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply following reported strikes involving the United States and Israel and subsequent regional responses involving Iran and neighbouring states.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has repeatedly highlighted that the Middle East hosts some of the world’s largest displaced populations, and new conflict waves risk compounding existing humanitarian strain.
From attacks on energy infrastructure impacting essential services to mass evacuation orders in countries such as Lebanon, this raises grave humanitarian concerns and increases pressure on already underfunded humanitarian resources.
Beyond the region, the conflict has affected almost every part of the world, destabilising global oil and fuel supplies and diplomatic relations.
Why young voices matter
According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), young people in conflict settings are among the most affected by instability, yet also play active roles in supporting their communities and contributing to response efforts.
The One Young World Ambassador Community spans every country in the world, making it uniquely placed to reflect the human reality of global conflict — and to shape the response.
This dual reality—being both affected and active—is central to understanding how conflict is experienced at a human level.
These challenges are echoed from within our global Ambassador Community, who are shaping responses in their own communities while also contributing to wider conversations on peace, justice, and accountability.
What daily life looks like during conflict
Living through conflict reshapes even the most ordinary parts of life.
Our Ambassadors describe routines reshaped by uncertainty, constant updates on their phones, and the emotional weight of not knowing what each day will bring.
As our Ambassador and Program Manager at Mercy Corps, Shorouq Aburazzouq from Jordan tells us, conflict is becoming part of everyday life.
"In Jordan, it often feels like we are in the middle of everything happening. Since the recent events started, hearing sirens and loud explosions from interceptions or falling debris is something many of us here have had to get used to, especially as this situation is lasting longer than the previous one. I also have family and friends across the region, which adds another layer of concern for their safety and well-being."
Hind Yousuf Almaskari is a One Young World Ambassador and Program Coordinator at INJAZ Oman, a youth non-profit organisation empowering young people across the Arab world through education, leadership development, and community engagement.
Hind reflects on daily life, saying, “The news is constantly present, conversations with family and friends often turn to concern about safety and stability, and there is a shared feeling that the future can suddenly become unpredictable.”
Shorouq agrees, “Following the news and checking updates has also become part of the daily routine these days. At the same time, despite all this uncertainty, daily life and work continue. Like everyone else, I still go to the office and carry on with my regular responsibilities, but with a stronger awareness of what is happening around us.”
What peace means to young leaders in the Middle East
Our Ambassadors join the growing calls around the world for de-escalation and a clear path to sustained peace in the region. Despite the reality of conflict, they consistently return to one central idea: peace is not abstract—it is possible.
For Hind, the ongoing conflict is a reminder that peacebuilding requires sustained efforts.
“Moments like this remind us that peace is not something we can take for granted, but something we must protect every day.”
Lea Zeinoun is a One Young World Ambassador and social impact practitioner working across Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. She emphasises the need for longer-term solutions: “Supporting peace in the Middle East requires long-term engagement that goes beyond reacting to moments of crisis.”
The role of young leaders in building peace
So, how can young leaders play a central role in creating long-term solutions?
In 2015, the UN Security Council formally recognised the importance of young people in peacekeeping for the first time. This resolution demonstrates how essential young people are at every stage of peacebuilding.
Lea acknowledges this and believes young peacebuilders exist at a unique intersection between old and new systems. As Lea explains, “Young leaders have a unique role in shaping a different future for the region because they operate across boundaries that older systems often struggle to bridge.”
Shorouq affirms that young leaders have an essential part to play by “bringing people together, whether through discussions around wellbeing, safety, and mental health, or through initiatives that remind people they are not facing these challenges alone. In difficult times, communities can easily become overwhelmed, so having voices that promote awareness and calm conversations really matters.”
How the One Young World Community can support peace
Conflict in the Middle East does not exist in isolation. It is connected to global systems, and interconnected action can drive change across borders. In moments of conflict, information, connection, and responsible amplification become critical tools for peacebuilding.
Together, our three Ambassadors share the resources they turn to and three ways in which the One Young World Community can help support those in the region.
1. Strengthening people-to-people connections
Strengthening people-to-people connections can help ensure that young leaders have the support they need to continue contributing positively and working toward a more peaceful future in the region, even during very challenging times.
Shorouq recommends these credible sources for staying informed on developments across the region:
Al-Mamlaka TV - A Jordan-based public news broadcaster
Petra Jordan News Agency - The official state news agency of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
2. Shifting global narratives
The One Young World Community can contribute by helping shift the narrative around the region. Too often, global conversations focus solely on conflict, while overlooking the work being done by young leaders, social entrepreneurs, and civil society organisations building solutions every day.
For those looking to understand the humanitarian reality on the ground, Lea recommends:
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - OCHA provides aid, information and mobilises aid for crisis-affected communities worldwide.
Relief Web - A humanitarian information service provided by OCHA. Relief Web provides fast, reliable updates from NGOs, governments and research centres around the world.
International Committee of the Red Cross - An independent humanitarian organisation providing aid and relief to communities affected by conflict and violence.
3. Enabling dialogue and understanding
In moments like these, the strength of the One Young World Community lies in its ability to bring people together across differences. When conflict creates division, dialogue becomes more important than ever. By listening to the voices of those living in the region and allowing their experiences to be heard, the Community can help the world see the human side of what is happening.
To hear directly from voices in the region, Hind recommends:
Reuters Arabic - An online news agency for breaking news across the Middle East region.
Al Jazeera (Video Live) - Online live broadcasts from across Al Jazeera’s network
Hope as responsibility, not sentiment
Peace is not imaginary. It is shaped in conversations, communities, and choices made under pressure and uncertainty.
Across the region, One Young World Ambassadors are already doing this work. From Shorouq's community wellbeing initiatives in Jordan to Hind's efforts to foster dialogue and awareness in Oman, and Lea's long-term social impact and community wellbeing practice spanning Lebanon and the UAE, these leaders are not waiting for peace to arrive. They are building it.
As Lea stresses, “Peace in the Middle East will not be built by one sector alone. It will be built by a generation that is willing to collaborate across differences and design new systems for cooperation.”
The question is not whether young leaders will contribute to peace — they already are. You can support this work today.
Share verified information from the sources above, amplify the voices of young leaders in the region, and join the One Young World Ambassador Community to become part of the global network working toward peace.