New Middle East Dialogue
The New Middle East Dialogue brings together an extraordinary group of leaders, activists, academics, journalists, policymakers, and creators from across the Middle East and North Africa to engage in the conversations that too often never happen.
Our participants come from diverse ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds, including Jews, Muslims, Druze, Copts, Assyrians, Kurds, Persians, Somalis, Arabs, and others. Many arrive with profoundly different experiences, perspectives, and disagreements. What unites them is a shared belief that lasting peace, security, and prosperity can only be built through honest dialogue, intellectual curiosity, and courageous leadership.
The New Middle East Dialogue creates a rare environment where difficult conversations are welcomed, disagreement is expected, and participants are challenged to listen as deeply as they speak. Rather than seeking consensus, we cultivate understanding, strengthen relationships, and build a network of regional leaders committed to shaping a more peaceful future.
Want to help build a new generation of Middle Eastern leaders?
Partner with the Tel Aviv Institute to support future New Middle East Dialogue Labs and bring meaningful conversations to communities around the world.
What Happens at the New Middle East Dialogue ?
Through facilitated discussions, workshops, and intimate conversations, participants examine many of the region’s most pressing challenges including: peacebuilding, regional cooperation, religious freedom, minority rights, extremism, democracy, media, and the future of the Middle East.
Alongside structured dialogue, participants hear from distinguished regional experts, policymakers, scholars, journalists, and civic leaders who challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and inspire new ways of thinking.
New Middle East Dialogue participants leave with:
– Lasting relationships across borders and communities
– Practical tools for engaging in difficult conversations
– A deeper understanding of regional perspectives
– Greater confidence communicating across differences
– A growing network of leaders committed to building a more peaceful Middle East
Representing communities including:
* Jewish
* Muslim
* Druze
* Kurdish
* Persian
* Assyrian
* Coptic
* Lebanese
* Iraqi
* Somali
* Arab
These conversations challenge participants to think more critically, communicate across differences, and develop relationships that extend far beyond the Lab itself.
Program Alumni
CLASS OF 2026 – London
Stephanie Kivarkis • Raihaana Adira • Hussain Abdul-Hussain • Mansur Ashkar • Sebastian Di Bene • Kamyar Fayaz • Mutlu Civiroglu • Natasha Zohra Banon • Marwan Jaber • Tony Mohraz • Ghaith Altamimi • Nimco Ali • Franck Salameh • Michael Gamal • Shannon Seban • Coussar Banaie • Eren Güvercin • Elaaheh Jamali
CLASS OF 2025 –Berlin
To protect the privacy and safety of participants in our Berlin pilot, we are not publishing their names. As this was our first pilot program, several participants expressed concerns about public identification, particularly due to potential implications for family members living abroad.