Hona Beirut recently took its spirit of connection beyond the walls of the center and into the streets of the city. The tour began with visits across several diverse neighborhoods and formerly conflicting communities in Beirut including Badaro, Chiyah, Sin el Fil, Shatila, and Ein el Remmeneh. The journey later continued with another bus tour to Hamra, bringing the same energy of dialogue and coexistence to one of Beirut’s most vibrant areas, turning every stop into a moment of exchange and connection.
As the bus stopped in each area, youth from different sectarian backgrounds engaged directly with residents, sharing messages of peace, music, dance, and conversation, transforming public spaces into areas of connection, understanding, and inclusivity. Beyond that, they also brought music and dance, creating a lively atmosphere that drew people in and encouraged new connections.
For the youth, these initiatives strengthened confidence, sense of belonging, and purpose, allowing them to challenge stereotypes, bridge divides, and practice peacebuilding in real-life settings. The Bus Tours also symbolized hope, reconciliation, and the active role of youth as agents of social cohesion, reaffirming Beirut’s identity as a diverse, resilient, and interconnected city. These experiences gave them a chance to see others differently, and to be seen differently in return. Through these simple but genuine encounters, perceptions began to shift, and the idea of coexistence became something real and lived rather than just spoken about.
These initiatives came at an important moment, as Lebanon and Beirut in particular continues to experience tensions and scenarios of division. The goal of the tour was to put sectarianism aside and remind residents of the city’s true identity: one of diversity, resilience, and unity. By meeting new people, sharing smiles, and creating moments of joy in the streets, the youth sent a clear message that what unites Beirut is stronger than what divides it.
Through Youth-Led Community Awareness initiatives like this, Hona Beirut continues to highlight the role of young people as active agents of peace, proving that unity is possible even in times of tension, and that Beirut’s identity belongs to all of its people. The youth showed that reconciliation does not only happen in meeting halls or workshops, but also in everyday interactions that break barriers and bring people together.
