Every MasterPeace Champion has a story of creating change, and Bechir Selmi’s journey is a powerful example of how one person’s dedication can inspire thousands. Since joining MasterPeace in 2012, Bechir has worked tirelessly to empower young people across Tunisia, building opportunities for leadership, dialogue, and peace at a time when the country was navigating major social and political change. His story reflects the impact that committed local champions can have when they connect communities with a global movement for peace.
With more than 35 years of experience in youth development, sports, and childhood education, Bechir saw MasterPeace as an opportunity to offer hope.
“I felt we needed an organization that could support young people, promote their initiatives, and show them that there were people listening beyond our borders.”
Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Youth and Childhood Facilitation and Arts, a Master’s degree in Didactics of Physical Education and Sports, and serving as an international Pétanque coach, Bechir brought decades of experience from the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports into building the MasterPeace movement in his country.
Creating a Family of Changemakers
MasterPeace quickly became more than an organization—it became a window to the world.
Because its values reflected the aspirations of the Tunisian revolution—freedom, dignity, peace, and empowerment—it attracted young people between the ages of 14 and 35, alongside parents, teachers, and community leaders. Together, they created an environment where generations could learn, collaborate, and grow side by side.
Bechir started by inviting a small group of motivated young people who became the foundation of MasterPeace Tunisia. Inspired by the organization’s mission, they worked with passion, discipline, and commitment to build meaningful activities for their communities.
Empowering Young People Through Skills and Creativity
The first years focused on engaging secondary school students through practical learning opportunities.
Young people received training in drawing, theatre, social media, public speaking, and community entertainment. Teachers, civil society leaders, and media professionals from the Monastir region joined the initiative to mentor participants and strengthen the quality of the programs.
As Director of a Youth Center under the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports, Bechir was able to connect MasterPeace with local institutions and help introduce its vision to a wider audience.
Growing Through Partnerships
As the movement expanded, MasterPeace Tunisia began building partnerships with local associations throughout the Monastir region.
Together, they organized cultural, educational, sports, and family activities that reached larger audiences and introduced more young people to the values of peacebuilding and active citizenship.
These collaborations strengthened the visibility of MasterPeace and encouraged many more volunteers to become part of the growing community.
Learning Beyond Borders
One of the greatest strengths of MasterPeace has been its international network.
Through collaboration with colleagues from different countries, the Tunisian team gained new ideas, shared experiences, and adapted successful practices to their local context.
Bechir also credits the continuous encouragement of Aart Bos and the MasterPeace Global Board for motivating the team throughout the years. Seeing their activities featured on the MasterPeace Global website and maintaining regular communication with the international network inspired members to continue innovating and expanding their work.
Reaching Universities
Recognizing the potential of university students, MasterPeace Tunisia expanded its activities into higher education.
With Monastir hosting more than seven universities and higher institutes, serving over 30,000 students, the team established cooperation agreements with several academic institutions. These partnerships opened new opportunities for cultural events, sports activities, volunteer engagement, and leadership development, while attracting skilled and motivated young volunteers who shared the values of MasterPeace.
Volunteers for Peace
Among the organization’s most memorable achievements were the 4th and 6th International Volunteer Festivals, organized in 2014–2015 and again in 2017 under the theme “Volunteers for Peace.”
The festivals brought together participants from more than 22 European, Arab, and African countries, creating spaces for intercultural dialogue, collaboration, and friendship.
The participation of representatives from MasterPeace Global added even more inspiration for local volunteers, reinforcing the feeling that Tunisia was part of a much larger international movement working toward peace.
Expanding Across Tunisia
Since 2022, MasterPeace Tunisia has entered a new phase of growth by establishing clubs and branches in several regions, including Gabès, Jendouba, and Tozeur.
The goal is to engage even more young people across the country and create stronger local networks that promote peace, active citizenship, and community leadership.
The team is also strengthening partnerships with national print and audiovisual media to increase the visibility of youth initiatives throughout Tunisia.
Opening Doors to the World
MasterPeace has also created life-changing international opportunities for Tunisian youth.
Through participation in international bootcamps in the Netherlands and Romania, young people have developed greater confidence, built lifelong friendships, and exchanged ideas with participants from many different countries.
In 2019, Tunisia proudly hosted the 8th MasterPeace Global Bootcamp under the theme “Tunisia on the Waves of Peace.” Bringing together participants from MasterPeace clubs around the world, the event became a milestone for the Tunisian team and a memorable experience for everyone involved.
Looking back, Bechir believes MasterPeace has transformed not only the communities he serves but also his own perspective.
The journey has strengthened his leadership, communication, and partnership-building skills while reinforcing the importance of openness, dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and respect for diversity.
Most importantly, it has shown him that peace is built through people who choose to work together despite their differences.
Today, being part of the MasterPeace Global family—spanning more than 47 countries—fills him with pride and hope.
“It feels like being part of one big family united by love, peace, respect, and solidarity. Together, we continue working toward a world where people cooperate across cultures, reject discrimination and conflict, and build communities where everyone can live in peace, dignity, and shared prosperity.”
For Bechir Selmi, the journey continues—with the same passion that inspired him to join MasterPeace in 2012 and the same belief that young people have the power to shape a more peaceful future.