This week, Tom Vizel and George Stevens from the leadership of the WeAreMENA (WRM) Network met with Ambassador Michael Mann, the incoming European Union Ambassador to Israel, at the EU offices in Tel Aviv. The conversation was warm, forward-looking, and filled with a shared sense of possibility. It reflected not only the growing relationship between WRM and the European Union but also the deeper aspirations both sides hold for the future of the Middle East.
From the very beginning of the meeting, Ambassador Michael Mann expressed genuine interest in the WRM model, the regional network it is building, and the long-term vision presented by Tom Vizel and George Stevens. The discussion naturally turned to the recent WRM launch summit in Paris, an event that brought together youth organizations from across the Middle East and North Africa. Tom Vizel emphasized how meaningful it was to host the summit in a European capital with strong diplomatic and cultural ties to the region. Ambassador Mann noted that Paris was a fitting place to begin a network built on dialogue and shared identity.
Inspired by the Erasmus Vision
A central theme of the conversation was the inspiration WRM draws from the Erasmus program—one of the European Union’s most transformative achievements. Ambassador Michael Mann reflected on how Erasmus played a crucial role in shaping a generation of Europeans who learned to see themselves not only as citizens of their own countries but as members of a shared European project. For more than thirty years, Erasmus exchanges helped build trust, familiarity, and a sense of common destiny.
Tom Vizel and George Stevens described how WRM is attempting to build something similar for the Middle East and North Africa, albeit at a much earlier stage of regional history. If Erasmus symbolized Europe’s post–Cold War transformation, WRM is emerging in a moment defined by the Abraham Accords, the hope for long-term stability, and early efforts at regional cooperation. Tom Vizel shared the belief that the Middle East may be experiencing its own formative moment—still fragile, still early, but full of potential.
Ambassador Michael Mann agreed that people-to-people initiatives are essential for building trust, especially during moments of tension or uncertainty. He noted that the European Union’s experience shows that long-term regional identity cannot be built solely through political agreements; it must grow through shared experiences, youth mobility, and authentic cultural exchange.
Exploring Pathways for Collaboration
Throughout the meeting, Tom Vizel and George Stevens discussed possible areas for cooperation with the European Union. These included youth exchanges, joint seminars, educational partnerships, and public events highlighting regional moderation and cross-cultural learning. Ambassador Michael Mann shared several ideas from the EU side and expressed interest in supporting initiatives that advance shared values of dialogue, coexistence, and understanding.
The tone of the discussion was optimistic yet grounded. All participants acknowledged the complex reality of the region, including ongoing conflicts and the delicate negotiations surrounding potential ceasefire arrangements. Still, there was a clear sense that these challenges only make initiatives like WRM more essential. As Tom Vizel noted, when political processes reach moments of uncertainty, civil-society networks can help keep channels of communication open and offer new models of regional cooperation.
A Shared Sense of Purpose
The meeting concluded with a mutual recognition that the early steps of WRM echo, in some ways, the early days of the European Union—when the idea of regional identity was still emerging and the future was uncertain. George Stevens reflected on how meaningful it is to engage with the European Union at this formative stage of WRM’s development, drawing lessons from Europe’s long journey while shaping a uniquely Middle Eastern path.
As the discussion came to a close, Tom Vizel and George Stevens expressed their appreciation to Ambassador Michael Mann for his openness, curiosity, and vision. The meeting reinforced the sense that the relationship between WRM and the European Union is not only strategic but values-driven.
We are grateful for the partnership with the European Union and look forward to continuing this shared journey toward a more interconnected Middle East and North Africa.