International Association of Youth and Students for Peace is holding an online Youth Discussion on September 20, 2020 from 1:00PM - 2:30PM EST to commemorate International Day of Peace and the UN75 conversation to present ideas for tackling the challenges we face. There will be a Panel then small group discussions through online conferencing to share how we as individuals can work together to create peace and make a difference for the future.

To participate and submit a question to the panelists, please make sure to register below. A zoom link and passcode for the event will be given after registering.

To participate, REGISTER HERE

—Leading up to our event, we encourage you to take a minute to submit your views and ideas to the United Nations for the UN75 Conversation. They want to hear what people in the world have to say! Contribute your thoughts HERE—

Ms. Doha Sabbagh

Leader in Civil Society Initiatives, Lebanon

An expert in managing programs related to building peace, countering violent extremism and economic empowerment. Doha is a Fulbright Scholar who graduated with a Master of Arts in Global Development and Peace from the University of Bridgeport,CT. Until this month she worked as the Chief Operating Officer for the projects held by an International Organization in Iraq. In Lebanon, she led Civil Society initiatives aimed at empowering and building resilience in marginalized groups. In addition to being the Youth president of UNDP youth groups, Doha also acted as a coordinator for Election Monitoring activities while working as the Head of Section in the banking sector.

Mr. Makaya Revell

Founder, Marie Mambu Makaya Foundation makayafoundation.org

Makaya Revell was born in 1986 in Democratic Republic of Congo. His parents were professionals, and he and his four younger brothers grew up in relative comfort in a country where the danger of violence and death was an everyday reality. He was 11 years old when the current civil war began, and when he turned 16 the conflict touched his own family. His father and youngest brother were murdered at that time, and his mother died when he was 18, adding him and his remaining brothers to the exploding numbers of orphans of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

After turning 18 he was brought to York, PA to live at a residence for immigrant family groups and unaccompanied minors. It was here that he met Drs. Elizabeth and Alvin Revell, who adopted him in 2006.

Makaya received his B.A. in International Relations from York College of Pennsylvania in 2015, and in 2017 he received his M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University.

Makaya has spoken frequently at local high schools, colleges, and community groups on various topics centering on the situation in Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2017 he gave a TedX talk, “Giving a Chance to a Refugee,” at American University. He founded the Marie Mambu Makaya Foundation in 2012 which is named after his mother.

Mrs. Barbara Wien

Sr Professorial Lecturer, School of International Service

Since 1981, Barbara Wien has worked to end human rights abuses, violence, war, and ecological destruction. She has protected civilians from the death squads in conflict zones and worked to establish 280 programs in the study of peace and conflict resolution on campuses around the world.

Barbara is a public scholar and peace practitioner with extensive knowledge of gender violence, peacebuilding, nonviolent social movements, and the political economy of war. She has edited and written 27 books and articles, led eight non-profits, and taught at six universities. Recognized for her leadership and “moral courage” four times by foundations and academic societies, Barbara was named "Peace Educator of the Year" in 2018 by the Peace & Justice Studies Association (PJSA), a network of 500 campuses in Canada and the U.S. Her students voted her “Professor with the Greatest Impact” in 2018 and 2019, and graduate students voted her “My Favorite Professor” in 2015 and 2017. She was featured in Amy Goodman’s book Exceptions to the Rulers (2003), and the Progressive magazine for opposing the military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq as a U.S. government official. Her interviews include The Washington Post, NBC Nightly News, Defense One, National Public Radio, Australian Broadcasting, Nuclear Times, and broadcasts in India, Uganda, Zambia, Palestine-Israel, and Australia.