MENA Region – 5 November 2024
Ahmed Abdulghani, a young leader from Benghazi, Libya, has been at the forefront of youth-driven civic action in the region shaped by conflict. With a medical background and firsthand experience of Libya’s transition from the Gaddafi era to civil war, Ahmed is deeply committed to community empowerment and peacebuilding. As a Libyan Representative to the UNODC Youth Network, co-founder of the Perpetual Peace Foundation and leader in the MENA Coalition for Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS), he reached thousands of young people, fostering hope and resilience across Libya and the region.
In this interview we learn about the impact of conflict on Libyan youth, Ahmed’s transformative journey with the UNODC, and the importance of youth empowerment and leadership in building peace and resilient communities.
The interview has been edited for clarity and length.
UNODC: How were the challenges you and your community in Benghazi have faced, especially during Libya's transition period? How do you see their effect on your generation?
The main challenge I faced starting out was finding support. Even though I was eager to make a difference, there wasn’t anyone to guide me or explain the path forward. This lack of mentorship is a major challenge, and many young people give up at this stage.
Another significant challenge is the danger involved in working on sensitive topics like peace. In Libya, discussing these issues can be life-threatening due to the possible presence of extremist groups.
Many young people working in this field have been killed, and this has left a lasting trauma. Although the situation has improved, the fear from those years is still there, and it continues to hold back youth from taking action.
There are many restrictions on what we, as youth, can say or do, stemming from the trauma of the past.
Instead of building momentum and capacity, we spent those years just trying to survive. Which is still impacting the level of youth-led action in Libya till today.
I'm 25 now. The revolution began when I was 11, and the civil war started when I was 15 and continued for five more years in Benghazi. I traveled 3-4 hours daily to medical school, often using dirt roads because the main routes were too dangerous due to the fighting. I went through a phase of depression where I had no goals and just wanted to get through school – until I had an experience in the civic space - that’s where my mindset began to change.
UNODC: How did you first hear about UNODC, and what drew you to their mandate?
Ahmed: My interest developed when I participated in a competition* related to youth and community-based initiatives, which resonated with my values. I appreciated how UNODC engaged with youth, making an effort to communicate in a way that was accessible and supportive. This deepened my interest in their work, and I found their mandate to be both clear and impactful.
After participating in and winning the competition, I became more engaged with UNODC, which led to my involvement in the Youth Network. Through this Network, I received support to implement an initiative in Benghazi and to make an impact at the grassroots level.
*The “Participate4Impact” regional competition aimed at enabling youth, youth associations, civil society organizations and academic centres in Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine and Sudan to develop innovative initiatives empowering young people, strengthening their resilience and providing social and economic alternatives to drugs, violence, crime and corruption.
UNODC: Can you please share more about your experience with this competition?
Ahmed: The #Participate4Impact competition was my first regional competition. I’m usually hesitant to participate in competitions because, in Libya, they often seem predetermined based on political affiliations or other biases. However, the #Participate4Impact competition was a positive experience.
I met many youth who were there because of their genuine efforts and ideas, not just to win. Their ideas were truly aimed at making a difference in their communities, which inspired me.
UNODC: Can you share more about your experience with the UNODC MENA Youth Network and the Benghazi event? What did you learn?
The UNODC MENA Youth Network** is making an impact, and the support we received from UNODC for my Benghazi workshop was excellent. The workshop used creative expression like music, art and theater for prevention. Many youth expressed a desire to participate in similar activities and some registered for music and art activities at the venue.
By empowering youth to channel their energy into productive outlets, we are fostering resilience and helping them build protective factors against drugs and crime.
My main takeaway [from the participation at the UNODC MENA Youth Network launch event] was discovering the extensive range of programming and toolkits that UNODC offers, such as the GRACE Initiative** This was the first time I heard about GRACE, and I found it to be a very impactful initiative.
Another key takeaway was the opportunity to connect with people from different countries in the region, who brought valuable knowledge and experience.
While we recognized that we have a lot to learn and many skills to develop, I left the event feeling confident that UNODC is committed to supporting this network. I believe they see the potential for this network to make a real impact in the region over time.
**The UNODC MENA Youth Network, launched in April 2024, is dedicated to empowering young people as active agents of change against drugs, violence, and crime through empowerment, meaningful participation, and youth-focused partnerships. The Network united 34 young people from Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, and Sudan. ***The youth were trained as agents of change on the UNODC GRACE Initiativethat operates through primary and secondary education, academia and research, and youth empowerment, each targeting different levels of education and aspects of society to instill an anti-corruption mindset.
UNODC: What impact do you think UNODC is having on youth on the ground?
As youth involved in this initiative, we are committed to working with UNODC to build our capacity and take meaningful action. This effort is built on mutual trust—we trust that UNODC will provide the support and skills we need, and UNODC trusts us that we will use these resources to create real impact.
UNODC: What specific skills and opportunities do you think are needed in Libya, and how can we help you grow and focus on these areas?
Ahmed: In Libya, the challenge isn't just about visible actions like workshops; it's the behind-the-scenes work we struggle with, such as email communication, networking, and paperwork—skills many youth lack. Office skills are critical, but opportunities to develop them are limited.
It's also important for youth to understand how to navigate UN channels to drive change and use resources effectively. Capacity building in areas like anti-corruption, cybersecurity, and countering the different forms of illicit trafficking is key.
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The activities mentioned in the interview were implemented under the “Youth 4 Impact” regional programme to empower and build resilience of youth against crime, violence, and drugs. The programme is active in Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, and Sudan and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Development and Economic Cooperation (BMZ).
