Fostering Peace in Iraq.

Salam Shabab (Peace Youth) began as the first reality television program made to promote the empowerment of Iraqi youth. Filmed and produced in Iraq in partnership with Magic Carpet for Media Production and Steel River Productions, each season of Salam Shabab followed 54 Iraqi teens from six different provinces as they produced their own short films, performed on stage, and used teamwork to win sport and educational challenges.

The project developed an active social media presence with huge following from youth across the Middle East. This online community created an environment that empowered youth to use technology to spark peacebuilding in the communities. Whether by providing youth with access to online toolkits that trained them on how to use technology for social good or by fostering a digital space that encouraged them to participate in civil society and share their narratives, Salam Shabab sought to improve knowledge, promote positive attitudes, and shape behaviors to foster effective peacebuilding in local communities across the Middle East.

In 2012, Salam Shabab won the prestigious UNESCO Prize for Intercultural Dialogue at the Prix Jeunesse.

Looking to learn more about Salam Shabab? You can follow the series on Twitter, watch on YouTube or join the community on Facebook.