Enabling peace
At The What If, we are dedicated to empowering peacebuilders and local communities to create lasting, meaningful peace.
In a world where conflict and division often take center stage, we work tirelessly to amplify the voices of peacebuilders and equip them with the tools they need to bridge divides and spark transformation.
Will you join us in building a future shaped by understanding and hope?
Mission and Vision
At The What If, we envision a world where conflict zones become hubs of understanding and inspiration, and where every voice contributes to a path to peace. We do so by innovating in future-thinking dialogues, constructive journalism, and capacity-building, all underpinned by a data-driven approach.
Empowering Communities Through Action
We work on the ground in conflict zones, amplifying local voices and fostering trust through meaningful conversations.
Innovating for Sustainable Peace
Our unique blend of storytelling, dialogue facilitation, capacity building and data-driven insights enables peacebuilders and policymakers to act effectively.
Our Partners
Our Team
Meet the team behind The What If
Alexander Karam is a journalist, with a background in political science and communication. Alex brings innovative journalism and regional affairs together to keep a finger on the pulse of the most pressing issues in conflict areas. As a journalist he worked on a local, regional and international level, always passionate about a solution-based approach. At " The What If," he drives the mission to transform journalism into a tool for proactive dialogue and sustainable peacebuilding in the world's most vulnerable regions.
Omar Meksassi is an expert in data science and project management with a track record of leading global initiatives in climate, peacebuilding, and media analytics. He’s passionate about using data to create impactful solutions, whether it’s combating misinformation or fostering peacebuilding efforts. With a strong technical background and experience across diverse regions, Omar is excited to contribute his skills to "The What If" team and explore new ways to drive change.
Michelle Simon is a conflict scholar and peacebuilding specialist passionate about conflict transformation and resilient peace. Inspired to combine constructive journalism and peacebuilding to challenge violence-fueling narratives she became a part of "The What If" team. Before that Michelle worked with the GIZ Civil Peace Service, a program facilitating peace via dialogue, mediation and conflict-sensitive reporting. At "The What If" she will bring in her knowledge on conflicts to maximize the project's impact.
MJ Daoud is a multimedia journalist, editor, and entrepreneur passionate about solutions-based and constructive journalism. Before joining WhatIf, she led the features department at L’Orient Today, a Lebanese English-language publication, where she advocated for solution-oriented reporting. In 2016, she co-founded Labneh&Facts, a social media platform aimed at inspiring Lebanese youth to create change and build bridges between communities. She holds degrees from Columbia School of Journalism and Paris-Dauphine University.
Who We’re Here For
At The What If, we aim to connect with anyone passionate about peacebuilding.
Our primary audience includes professionals in the humanitarian field—NGOs, INGOs, peace mediators, and those working on the frontlines of global challenges.
Our secondary audience is journalists: individuals who strive to report responsibly and with a conflict-sensitive approach, but lack the skills to do so.If peacebuilding and bridging divides matter to you, we’re here to support your journey.
FAQs
Have questions? We’ve got answers! Explore the FAQ section to find quick solutions and learn more about what we do. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help!
The What If is unique in addressing the challenge of changing the narratives of conflict-affected countries through a comprehensive approach. We focus on understanding and highlighting nuanced perspectives, steering away from the extremes, and bringing people together to explore solutions to the challenges communities face. We focus not only on deeply understanding the present but also on imagining and planning for a better, shared future.
Conflict zones are often portrayed in traditional media as war-torn areas dominated by extremist narratives vying for prominence. However, anyone who has lived in a conflict zone knows the reality is far more nuanced and complex. Local civil societies are often incredibly active in creating alternative narratives, yet these stories rarely make it to the global stage. At The What If, we aim to amplify these nuanced, locally informed narratives to highlight possible solutions and foster better coexistence.
The What If is a platform dedicated to transforming conflict zones into hubs of understanding and inspiration. We empower peacebuilders and local communities to bridge divides through inclusive conversations, by innovating in Futures-Thinking Dialogues, Constructive Journalism, and Capacity Building, with an integrated Data-Driven approach. By amplifying local voices and connecting them with global decision-makers, we aim to create pathways for sustainable peace.