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From the field
MENA Youth Leaders Online Summit 2026
On July 18, 2026, the MENA Youth Leaders Online Summit 2026 brought together 405 young leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa. Organized by the Kectil Program in partnership with EU MedBridge, HerWill MENA, Unity Up (Lebanon), Cultures Dum (Tunisia), Uplifting Syrian Women (Syria), and Prodigy, the summit served as a platform for leadership development, intercultural exchange, and regional cohesion.
Event at a glance
- Event: MENA Youth Leaders Summit — Connecting for Impact
- Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026 · 3 hours on Zoom
- Attendees: 405 young MENA community leaders (78% female, 22% male)
- Regional partners: EU MedBridge, HerWill MENA, Unity Up, Cultures Dum, Uplifting Syrian Women, Prodigy
Program highlights
The summit opened with welcome remarks from Ahmed Yassin (EU MedBridge Focal Point in Egypt) and Oleksandra Liachovic-Fomin (Kectil Global Board Member), setting a collaborative tone focused on cross-regional youth empowerment.
Sherry Knowles, Founder & Executive Director of the Kectil Program and Malmar Knowles Family Foundation, delivered the keynote: Tips for Personal Leadership — How to Be a Leader in Your Community.
A dynamic panel, From Youth Lens: From Fighting Barriers to Creating Opportunities, featured Claudine Zaarour (Lebanon), Wided Ghadhoun (Tunisia), and Merry Zakhour (Syria), spotlighting female leaders overcoming systemic obstacles through non-formal education and community action.
Watch the recording
Full summit recording: https://youtu.be/oouGa-zJPsQ