From the crowded streets of Amman to the hills of Irbid, the border towns of Mafraq, and the rural landscapes of Jerash, Tafilah, and Zarqa, young people navigate social environments that can be tense and challenging. Many encounter aggressive, confrontational, and at times intolerant behaviors whether in schools, neighborhoods, or even within their own families. These patterns are often shaped by deeply rooted tribal affiliations, communal pressures, and rigid patriarchal norms that influence daily interactions and expectations. The weight of limited job opportunities, high unemployment, and the frustrations of feeling excluded from political and economic decision-making only deepen these struggles. Adding to this are layers of personal and collective traumas, that are carried by living in a region marked by ongoing turbulence and displacement. Increasingly, online spaces which are imagined as bridges to build connections, have often become arenas of bullying and hostility, mirroring and amplifying offline tensions. Together, these realities form a complex backdrop against which Jordanian youth are striving to find their voice, resilience, and pathways toward a more peaceful future.
It was in direct response to these challenges that the Locally-led Dialogue Initiatives for Social Cohesion and Conflict Transformation were created. Their goal was simple yet powerful: to offer young people safe spaces where they could sit together, speak openly, and acquire the skills to turn conflict into connection. At the heart of this work lies dialogue as a deliberate practice of understanding different opinions, observing perspectives with patience and respect, challenging stereotypes and biases, and demonstrating mutual ground. These skills, rooted in the principles of non-violent communication, later on became the foundation for equipping youth to address conflict in constructive, and non-violent ways.
Rajendra Subba, Peacebuilding Advisor with Pro Peace Jordan and the mind behind these initiatives, recalls how the process began:
“Our goal was clear: we wanted to create spaces where young people could practice non-violent communication and dialogue skills; not as theory, but as a way of life. We wanted to set the tone for a culture of dialogue for peacebuilding and non-violent ways of conflict transformation by creating a space for dialogue in governorates, and the National Dialogue Forum was the first step toward achieving that vision.”
What made these initiatives groundbreaking was their reach and design. For the first time, 25 young facilitators from across Amman, Mafraq, Irbid, Tafilah, Madaba, Zarqa, and Jerash were brought together under one umbrella with a shared goal: to build a national forum for dialogue that would grow from the local level upward. The choice of governorates was intentional; as these were areas often marked by youth violence, where refugees and diverse communities live side by side, and where the risks of division were high, but so too were the possibilities for peace. The selection criteria for the young facilitators were also intentional, as many of them had already been active in initiating dialogue practices or had been active members of the Alternatives to Violence Program (AVP) circles. Some had even had previous experience participating in different projects with Pro Peace Jordan. The interest and commitment of the participants had brought a valuable experience to the process.
The training followed a “learning by doing” approach, giving participants practical tools and opportunities to apply what they learned in real situations. After completing the sessions, facilitators returned to their communities and began creating safe spaces where peers could gather, speak openly, and put their dialogue skills into practice. In these circles, stereotypes softened, biases were questioned, and even entrenched masculine norms were challenged. Many participants described these moments as the first time they truly felt heard, and the first time they recognized their own power to contribute to a more peaceful community. “It was powerful to see the energy created by the youth in the dialogue spaces,” recalls Rajendra. “For many of them, it was the first time they realized they weren’t working alone, and that they were part of something much bigger.”
As the sessions progressed, the facilitators also voiced a common concern: they feared losing the knowledge and skills they had gained and wanted guidance to continue applying them effectively. “The youth kept saying, ‘We need a manual, something practical we can use when facilitating or training others,’” Rajendra recalls. This feedback inspired the creation of the Capacity-building and Training Manual, a reference and learning tool designed to support not only the youth facilitators but also other peace practitioners, partner organizations, and anyone committed to peacebuilding. “We didn’t want the knowledge to disappear after a few workshops,” Rajendra explains. “The manual ensures the skills are sustainable and can continue to grow over time.”
After months of practicing dialogue within their own communities, 22 young facilitators reconvened for the project’s final event to present their initiatives and celebrate their achievements. Over three consecutive days, participants shared the challenges they had faced, the lessons they had learned, and the recommendations they had gathered throughout their dialogue sessions. They also showcased the creative and practical plans they had developed to bring dialogue into more spaces within their communities. Each presentation reflected a promise that the seeds planted during their learning journey would continue to grow and inspire positive change in their communities.
The event carried both joy and purpose. Ice-breakers rekindled the group’s energy, local peace groups showcased their work, and the National Dialogue Forum held its first exchange and coordination meeting to plan for future activities. In a symbolic moment, the newly developed training manual was launched and distributed, providing a shared resource to guide facilitators for years to come.
By the close of the gathering, three achievements were clear: the National Forum had been firmly established as a recognized national platform for dialogue and peacebuilding; a culture of exchange and learning had begun to take root across governorates; and a living network of connections now linked grassroots peace actors with sub-national and national leaders.
Adding depth to the occasion was the presence of Dr. Ma’in Al Shamayleh, a leading consultant on youth, peace, and security. His words resonated throughout the room as he praised both the Forum and its participants, calling the project “a step toward reshaping how young Jordanians engage with peace and conflict.” He emphasized that equipping youth with dialogue skills is not just important; it is essential. “This Forum gives young people not only a voice,” he said, “but also a platform to act.”
The journey was never only about training or events; it was about transformation. Youth who once felt sidelined began to see themselves as leaders. Communities that had long leaned on rivalry began to experience what cooperation could look like. Across governorates, a growing network of young peacebuilders emerged, bound together by trust, courage, and the conviction that dialogue is not weakness but strength.
This transformation was perhaps best captured in the words of participants themselves.
“This training was an enriching experience that gave me the opportunity to delve into practical tools and methods that help to manage and facilitate discussions effectively and constructively, with a focus on how to transform dialogue into a space for understanding and promote mutual respect between different perspectives. I consider joining the National Youth Dialogue Forum an important milestone in my career, as it allowed me to be part of an active youth network that seeks to spread the culture of dialogue, consolidate the values of peace, and contribute to creating a more aware and cohesive environment among young people. I believe that dialogue is not just an exchange of ideas, but a foundation for building a cohesive society that is capable of meeting challenges in a spirit of cooperation and openness.” Shared Ahmad Abu Ghazaleh.
While this event may have closed one chapter in 2025, it has also opened many more for the upcoming years. The National Dialogue Forum (NDF) event scheduled from 11 to 14 February 2026 will continue the journey, as what began as a project in 2025 will continue as a movement of young peacebuilders who are empowered, connected, and ready to carry dialogue into the heart of their communities. In a country where divisions too often overshadow common ground, the NDF stands as a hopeful reminder that peace is not a dream. It is already being built step by step from the ground up.