This week marked an important and meaningful moment for the WeAreMENA (WRM) Network. As part of the network’s continuous effort to expand its partnerships across the Middle East and North Africa, members of the WRM leadership held a quiet, carefully structured meeting with a Syrian organization exploring the possibility of joining the network in 2026.
The meeting took place discreetly, in full respect of the sensitivities involved. Conversations of this kind require time, trust, and a deep understanding of the personal and political realities faced by civil-society actors in different parts of the region. For WRM, these early encounters are not simply procedural—they are the foundation on which long-term cooperation, shared identity, and regional connectivity can grow.
Trust Begins in Confidential Spaces
From the outset, both sides acknowledged the importance of confidentiality. In parts of the Middle East, young leaders who wish to engage in regional cooperation must navigate complex local environments. WRM understands this well. As a network grounded in principles of rehumanization, youth empowerment, and cross-border dialogue, it prioritizes the safety and comfort of every partner organization.
This week’s meeting with the Syrian organization was therefore shaped by discretion, sensitivity, and a shared recognition that trust cannot be rushed. It grows step by step, through honest exchanges, careful listening, and a gradual alignment of values.
A Shared Desire for Safe, Regional Youth Collaboration
Despite the complexities, the Syrian organization expressed a clear interest in WRM’s mission: creating safe, meaningful encounters between young people across the Middle East. They emphasized that youth in the region deserve frameworks that allow them to meet peers from different cultures—frameworks that are protected, encouraging, and grounded in mutual respect.
This reflects a central belief in the WRM philosophy: that young people from across the region, regardless of political realities, share common dreams. They seek safety, dignity, opportunity, belonging, and the freedom to collaborate on challenges that transcend borders—education, employment, identity, climate, culture, and the future of their societies.
The WRM team shared examples of how cross-border partnerships have already strengthened organizations across the MENA region, offering new ideas, pedagogic tools, and opportunities for long-term engagement.
Introducing the WRM Vision Statement
A core part of the conversation centered on WRM’s Vision Statement, the network’s foundational document co-written and signed by 15 youth organizations from across 10 countries. The Vision Statement outlines WRM’s guiding values:
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regional belonging
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commitment to dialogue
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rejection of dehumanization
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belief in youth-led change
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and a long-term vision for cooperative civic development
For the Syrian participants, learning how the Vision Statement was formed—through months of discussions, workshops, and shared drafting—gave insight into how WRM operates as a collective, not a top-down framework.
Understanding the Path to Membership
The meeting also introduced the Syrian partners to WRM’s membership process, which emphasizes:
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shared values
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readiness for regional engagement
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commitment to dialogue-based programming
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and internal capacity to participate in multi-year cooperation
WRM leadership described the gradual nature of joining the network: starting with trust-building meetings, continuing with participation in roundtables or educational workshops, and eventually—if both sides feel fully aligned—moving toward formal membership.
This slow, deliberate approach respects each organization’s context while ensuring that every new member strengthens the network’s culture.
Looking Ahead to 2026: A Year of Expansion and Deepening Cooperation
A key part of the meeting focused on WRM’s 2026 work plan, which includes:
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expanding the network from 15 to approximately 30 member organizations
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launching a series of Encounters and Encounters+ programs
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organizing multiple youth diplomacy roundtables
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presenting the MENA Youth Organizations Research internationally
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setting up regional committees to oversee programming, alumni, and partnerships
For the Syrian organization, this roadmap demonstrated that WRM is not only a vision—it is a structured, strategic, and long-term initiative with clear goals for regional transformation.
They expressed particular interest in programs that allow educators and youth coordinators to meet peers from other MENA countries in safe, supportive settings.
A Quiet Beginning, A Possible New Chapter
As the meeting ended, both sides agreed to continue the conversation discreetly and thoughtfully. No promises were made, and none were needed. What mattered was establishing a first step—quiet, respectful, and grounded in shared aspirations.
If cooperation continues, WRM may welcome a Syrian partner into its circle in the coming year. But even if the process takes time, this week’s meeting was a reminder of something deeper: that across the Middle East, there are courageous young leaders who believe in the power of connection, even when it requires great delicacy.
WRM remains committed to building these bridges—slowly, safely, and with the full dignity of every partner involved.
Picture by Ahmed akacha