Ahmad Shami, S-CAR M.S. Student
Education is a constant theme for Ahmad Shami, a Master’s student at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, at George Mason University. Ahmad believes that "education for Palestinians is a tool of resisting, education is a tool of creating more options and more hope.” Growing up in Ramallah, Palestine, Ahmad studied Business Administration in undergrad but was inspired by the resilience of his grandfather, who lost three sons to the conflict, and who instilled in his family the desire to be involved in peacebuilding and create change especially through education. The Shami Foundation, founded by Ahmad’s family, worked in Beit Ur Al-Tahta Village in the West Bank to develop infrastructure, set up a girls’ high school, and offer scholarships for girls to attend higher education in their community. Ahmad strongly believes that it is essential to provide equal educational opportunities for all Palestinians, to build Palestine through Palestinian minds.
Ahmad has been a participant and facilitator of dialogue sessions since the tender young age of 14, and came to S-CAR to shift from years of practice to focus on a more academic and theoretical approach to conflict resolution. At S-CAR, Ahmad is especially interested in connecting his classes on theory and social change to his work with the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution (CRDC) to show the different narratives of the Palestinians-Israeli conflict.
Eventually, Ahmad wishes to return to Palestine and teach after one day pursuing his PhD; but recognizing the need to adapt to what is needed depending on the circumstances, his ultimate goal is to use education to develop perspectives and, ultimately, to create a turning point in the conflict. Ahmad adds, “as my father always told me: ‘we Palestinians lost our land, but because we’ve managed to educate ourselves we have not disappeared.’”