Musawat Program
2022 - 2023
The collaboration between Peace of Art and PAX resulted in a transformative project that empowered young women and men to address religious and belief-based discrimination across social, legal, and digital spheres. Supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the initiative championed Freedom of Religion or Belief (ForB), encouraging dialogue, civic engagement, and equal rights regardless of background. Participants had open dialogue with local and religious leaders. Innovative methods were employed to raise awareness about FoRB (Freedom of Religion and Belief), including the organization of four impactful round tables where youth engaged with religious leaders from different sects. The project also included 3 Murals painted in 3 different corners of Lebanon (Ain, Tripoli, Beirut) highlighting equality and acceptance. A documentary was produced to showcase the context of FoRB in Lebanon hosting religious leaders and experts from around Lebanon, alongside a comprehensive training curriculum covering advocacy, leadership, and communication skills. This collaboration underscored the potential of art to unite diverse communities and empower youth as effective advocates for change.
We Play for Peace
2019
Funded by the EuroMed Feminist project, 'Art Rise Against SGBV' is a 6-month initiative targeting 100 young individuals from Baalbek-Hermel (Syrian and Lebanese origins), focusing on various art activities to raise awareness against Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The program encompasses art therapy, media content training, and video production for advocacy, aiming to enhance strategic planning abilities, evidence-based knowledge, communication skills, peer-to-peer education, and partnership strategies with organizations devoted to gender equality and women’s rights. The overall goal is to mitigate youth tensions, bolster their capacity to express ideas and advocate for causes through art and media, improve their stance on women's rights and gender equality, address GBSV issues, and equip them with tools to advocate for women and girls both privately and publicly while fostering a nonjudgmental acceptance of others.
2020
Funded by UNAOC through the Youth Solidarity Program (YSF), ‘We Play for Peace’ presents an innovative project centered on leveraging sports as a catalyst for fostering a culture of peace. This initiative aims to bridge divisions among Syrian Sunni and Lebanese Sunni, Shiite, and Christian youth in Northern Bekaa through the training of community coaches. These coaches served as advocates for peer-group peacebuilding, orchestrating engaging activities such as basketball, football, volleyball, and yoga. The project included the training of ten community coaches to become proficient in steering peer-group peacebuilding and communication skills through sport. Over a six-month span, the project involved 100 marginalized youth, integrating sports like volleyball, and yoga with purposeful peacebuilding activities within their peer circles. Additionally, the project included the creation and publishing of a trainers’ handbook showcasing insightful case studies that illustrate the effective utilization of community coaches to promote and sustain peacebuilding efforts.
Local Youth Lead Program
August 2023 - October 2023
On August 7th, 2023, Peace of Art organization launched its new project "Local Youth Lead Program" (LYLP). This program aims to empower 30 young individuals from the North Beka'a area in Lebanon through a comprehensive and intensive series of activities, including photography training, film production, content creation, and life skills development, in parallel with youth leadership, YPS, accountability, human rights, advocacy, citizenship, partnerships and networking, and conflict resolution. Additionally, the participants will engage in two interactive roundtable discussions with local community members and stakeholders. Ultimately, the youth involved will showcase their accomplishments by presenting a video production and a photovoice project through a town-hall meeting.
Innovation Academy
2022 - 2024
In a collaborative effort, Peace of Art and PAX introduced the Innovation Academy project, an ambitious initiative encompassing diverse aspects of community development. The program included comprehensive training sessions designed to equip groups of young individuals with essential English language and computer skills, along with fostering civic awareness. The project's scope extended further with the establishment of Peace of Art's pioneering co-working space, the first of its kind in Northern Beka'a, offering a hub for innovation and collaboration. Notably, the initiative marked the launch of the region's first podcast, amplifying local voices. A key focus was inclusivity, as the project established an accessible arts and training space catering to individuals with disabilities. The construction of a sports court and provision of asphalt ensured the space's accessibility for all. Beyond educational efforts, the program extended to training teachers, enhancing their classroom engagement and teaching techniques for both online and offline education. Sporting activities and livelihood training in traditional crafts like soap making, preserved food preparation, and handmade carpet weaving enriched the academy's offerings, leading to the creation of numerous crafts. The overarching goal of the project was to foster enhanced opportunities for the youth and women of Northern Bekaa while simultaneously breaking the region's isolation and amplifying the voices of its vibrant community.
We Rise Through Art
Art Against Violence
2020 - 2022
Art Against Violence is an 18-month project funded by the US Embassy in Beirut, designed to engage 300 young people aged 15 to 29 from Bekaa across four regions. The initiative provides training in various art forms, including Piano, Guitar, Photography, Theater, Filmmaking, and Drawing. Additionally, civil training in conflict resolution and mediation is offered. Following the training, each art training group undertakes the creation of their own artworks, such as theater pieces, short films, music bands, and photography and drawing exhibitions. Talented youth receive seed funding, enabling them to bring their projects to life. These emerging artists organize numerous events and shows across different locations, with our organization's support. Several youth projects were launched and funded under this program, and 4 murals were implemented in 4 different areas. The primary project objective is to nurture and empower gifted youth in Bekaa, utilizing art to combat violence. The project aimed to cultivate the capacities of young individuals as catalysts for positive change and active contributors to peace, combating all forms of violence and extremism through artistic expression.
2020 - 2021
Funded by UNESCO, 'We Rise Through Art' is a 4-month project focusing on 40 youngsters and children from Beirut (Syrian and Lebanese), who have been physically or psychologically affected by the Beirut Blast. The initiative aims to provide diverse art and psycho-social support activities, including training in Psychosocial Support, Art & Drawing, Percussion & Music, Drama, and Dance & Sport. The project's primary goal is to alleviate anxiety and stress among children and youth through arts and psycho-social support sessions. Additionally, it seeks to enhance community cohesion and security, bridging gaps between segregated Syrian and Lebanese populations. By involving 40 Lebanese and Syrian children and young individuals aged 7-16 in the realms of fine arts, the initiative aims to cultivate a positive space for resilient youth who are empowered to express themselves through art. This collective effort stands as a symbol of unity, aiding in overcoming the aftermath of Beirut's disaster, particularly in the Karantina area.
Art Elevates Societies
Hear Us Now!
2021 - 2022
Hear Us Now! Project, funded by ARK Group, is a research and advocacy project designed with a threefold purpose: firstly, to shed light on the youth's perspectives, attitudes, emotions, and perceptions regarding barriers to freedom of speech within our society, encompassing social, cultural, political, and familial domains, while identifying the activities that encourage such freedom; secondly, to foster open discussions and a sense of collective responsibility by engaging both the online and offline communities, institutional stakeholders, and young individuals through an advocacy-focused Call to Action grounded in our research insights; and thirdly, to furnish evidence that creative civic spaces are essential components of our community, capable of reshaping negative viewpoints, perceptions, and opinions. By enabling open discourse, dialogue, and the dissolution of animosity and long-standing tensions that have persisted across generations, this project aimed to address deep-seated divisions and barriers to freedom of expression. The project's scope encompasses various target audiences, including parents affected by social, cultural, religious, and sectarian divisions, youth seeking avenues to freely express themselves, community influencers like educators, donors interested in supporting shifts toward free expression and positive change, and other NGOs eager to contribute to transformative cultural shifts within the region.
2021
Funded by the Forum for Development Culture and Dialogue (F.D.C.D.), Art Elevates Societies project spearheaded by Peace of Art was designed to empower a select cohort of 16 young individuals. The initiative revolved around a comprehensive training curriculum that intricately brought together artistic expression, photography, content creation, and presentation skills. These creative themes were interwoven with essential life skills such as acceptance, conflict resolution, responsible citizenship, and peaceful coexistence. The culmination of this transformative project materialized in a cultural and traditional event, where the young participants showcased their newfound skills and innovative ideas with local community members and activists. Through eloquent speeches and compelling presentations, these young voices illuminated the impact of the project, effectively encapsulating the fusion of artistic empowerment with core values of understanding and harmony.
Young Media Creators
Meet your Candidate
2022
Organized by the dedicated team and volunteers of Peace of Art, the "Meet Your Candidate" initiative emerged as a powerful voluntary effort during the elections period. This initiative ingeniously established a platform for young individuals to directly engage with candidates vying for parliamentary representation of Northern Bekaa. In this unique setting, all candidates were extended invitations to participate, fostering an environment where candid conversations flourished. The initiative allowed youth to voice their concerns, share ideas, and emphasize priorities while affording candidates the opportunity to articulate their programs. Through "Meet Your Candidate," Peace of Art facilitated a vital space for open dialogues, contributing to informed decision-making and enabling a more engaged and informed electorate.
2021 - 2022
In collaboration, Peace of Art and PAX initiated the "Young Media Creators" project, a dynamic endeavor that empowered 16 young individuals with invaluable media and advocacy training through a comprehensive training program. This initiative encompassed a range of skills vital to modern communication, such as film making, photography, content creation, editing, and design—leveraging accessible and free software, with a focus on utilizing mobile phones. Moreover, the project dived into intensive training spanning various faces of effective communication, including presentation techniques, compelling storytelling, nonverbal communication, persuasive pitching, advocacy strategies, debate, research, and the art of constructing coherent arguments. Additionally, participants received in-depth instruction on crucial topics such as gender equality, human rights, conflict resolution, countering misinformation, and civic engagement. Through "Young Media Creators," Peace of Art and PAX provided these young talents with a robust skill set poised to make a positive impact in the world of media, advocacy, and social change.
Arts Rise Against SGBV!
Arts Against Discrimination
2017-2018
The 'Art Against Discrimination' initiative, funded by the European Endowment for Democracy, spans 12 months and targets 80 youths in Baalbek-Hermel of Syrian and Lebanese backgrounds, offering them artistic training in music, photography, and more, alongside civil education in conflict resolution and leadership. This effort aimed to unify diverse youth, fostering peace and coexistence while instilling artistic and civic skills for future leadership. The project empowers these young individuals to express their identities creatively, tackle social issues, and inspire positive change in their community, as a result bridging divides and building relationships among youth and communities. Activities include photography, music, and civil workshops, resulting in a short film and a photo exhibition showcasing the youth's perspective on their community.
A Message from our Team
“
Dear Valued Visitors,
We are delighted to welcome you to our projects page, a testament to the dedication and passion of our team at Peace of Art. As Peace of Art team, we are immensely proud of the impactful projects we have undertaken over the few past years since we started.
Our commitment to promoting peace and unity through the arts, sports, dialogue and digital innovation are at the core of everything we do. Each project listed here represents a journey of creativity, collaboration, and positive change. Whether it's a community mural that has brought neighbors together, a youth program that has empowered the next generation of artists, or a global initiative that has touched hearts across borders, these projects are the embodiment of our mission.
However, it's important to remember that our work is not just about the past; it's about the future we aspire to create. These projects are not static achievements but living testaments to our ongoing commitment to making the world a more peaceful and harmonious place. We invite you to explore these projects and see for yourself the transformative power of art.
As you navigate through our accomplishments, I encourage you to reflect on how you can contribute to our mission. Whether through your support, involvement, or simply by sharing these stories with others, you too can be a part of our journey towards a more peaceful world.
Thank you for visiting us and for your continued support. Together, we can paint a brighter future, one stroke of creativity at a time.
With gratitude and hope,
Peace of Art Family
”