We are proud to share that two of our recent graduates from the DSD Clinic, Sophie Mayr and Camila Castellanos Forero, recently participated in the MENA Coalition on Youth, Peace & Security (MCYPS) Week in Amman, Jordan. As a flagship initiative led by the MENA Coalition, this week serves as a vital platform for strategic coordination and knowledge exchange. It brings together emerging youth leaders and UN partners to co-develop actionable tools—such as the MCYPS 3-Year Strategy—reflecting a deep commitment to grassroots-driven priorities. 

On November 19, Sophie and Camila presented the findings of the DSD Clinic’s 2024-2025 collaboration with clinic client Justice Call: a comprehensive two-part report series analyzing Youth Participation in Track 1 (state-level) and Track 3 (grassroots-level) Peace Negotiations across the MENA region. Presenting these findings directly to stakeholders in Amman marks a significant step in moving from research to actionable policy recommendations. 

Participating in this even allowed Sophie, Camila, and our Clinic to deeply understand how youth leadership currently functions within regional peacebuilding efforts and to map the critical need for multidisciplinary research. This engagement reinforced our conviction that rigorous work in clinics can serve as a powerful tool for tangible social change. Our Clinic’s work with Justice Call continues this semester, engaging with Syrian youth peacebuilders and we look forward to supporting their voices in the Syrian transitional process.