Yahya Qanie

Yahya Qanie
Born
Mohammad Yahya Qanie

(1994-01-06) January 6, 1994
Peshawar, Pakistan
EducationBA in French Literature and Legal Translation, Kabul University
MS in Global Affairs, New York University (NYU)
OccupationsSocial entrepreneur, civic activist, researcher
Known forFounder and President of Kabul Model United Nations (Kabul MUN)
Acting President of the United Nations Association of Afghanistan
Websiteyahyaqanie.com

Mohammad Yahya Qanie (born January 6, 1994) is an Afghan social entrepreneur, researcher, and civic activist.[1][2] He has served as the founder and president of the Kabul Model United Nations (Kabul MUN), the acting president of the United Nations Association of Afghanistan, and a co-founder of the National Youth Consensus for Peace.[3][4] He has also represented Afghan youth at high-level United Nations forums, including the Global Conference on Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes in Doha, Qatar.[5][6]

Qanie's primary focus is on international security, inclusive governance, civic technology (Civic Tech), and youth empowerment in peace and security processes.[1] He has authored numerous articles on politics, diplomacy, and security in international and Afghan media platforms.[7][8][9]

Early life and education

Mohammad Yahya Qanie was born on January 6, 1994, in Peshawar, Pakistan, during the Afghan Civil War.[3] His family returned to Afghanistan in 2003 following the fall of the first Taliban regime. He spent his childhood and adolescence in Kabul and Uruzgan, and graduated from Habibia High School in 2011.[3]

In 2012, Qanie entered Kabul University and received his bachelor's degree in French Language and Literature and Legal Translation in 2016.[3] During this period, he also obtained a diploma in law from Jean Moulin University Lyon 3 in France and completed coursework at the American University of Afghanistan.[3]

Following the collapse of the Afghan government, Qanie immigrated to the United States.[10] He pursued his higher education and completed his Master of Science (M.S.) in Global Affairs with a concentration in Transnational Security at the New York University School of Professional Studies Center for Global Affairs (NYU SPS CGA). He was notably one of the recipients of the Afghan Crisis Scholarship at NYU.[11]

Professional and civic activities

Kabul Model United Nations (Kabul MUN)

In 2016, Qanie founded the Kabul Model United Nations (Kabul MUN) platform and served as its president.[3] The organization aimed to provide a civic and diplomatic space for Afghan youth to discuss national and global crises, develop leadership skills, and engage in politics and peacebuilding.[12]

International activities and peace process

Qanie has played a prominent role internationally as a representative of Afghanistan's young generation. He was a member of the steering group for the development of a five-year global strategy on the "Inclusion of Youth in the Peace Process," a joint initiative advanced by the UN Youth Envoy, Search for Common Ground, and the United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY).[3]

He also collaborated as a fellow with the Global Initiative for Justice, Truth and Reconciliation, working alongside nine other international experts to develop a Global Toolkit for atrocity prevention.[3] His efforts in this arena have focused on reclaiming the voices of Afghan youth and envisioning a better future.[13]

In January 2022, Qanie was invited as a youth representative to the opening ceremony of the "High-Level Global Conference on Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes" in Doha, Qatar.[14] At this international event, he delivered a speech alongside António Guterres (Secretary-General of the United Nations), the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and the First Lady of Colombia.[15][16]

Civic technology and AI

In recent years, Qanie has focused on the intersection of emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and transnational security. He aims to create new models of civic participation, institutional accountability, and public trust building through public-interest technology.[1]

Views and writings

He has authored numerous analytical articles in prominent domestic and international publications.[17] His writings primarily focus on the Afghan peace process, youth participation in governance, security challenges, and the migrant crisis:

  • In an article for The Independent, he discussed the struggle of Afghanistan's young generation against the return of the Taliban and their role in the future of the peace process.[18]
  • In his writings for TOLOnews, he emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights of the new generation and the necessity of inclusive platforms.[19][20]
  • In an op-ed for 8am, he pointed out that traditional peace negotiations have lost their effectiveness and that innovative approaches are required.[21]
  • He has also analyzed the challenges faced by Afghan migrants in neighboring countries, such as Iran, for publications like Kayhan Life.[22]

Awards and honors

  • Awarded the Medal of Honor twice by the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee (2017 and 2019).[3]
  • Received an official appreciation letter from the former First Lady of Afghanistan for his continuous efforts in developing youth platforms.[3]
  • Nominated for the Asia 21 Young Leaders Award in 2018.[3]
  • Recipient of the Afghan Crisis Scholarship from the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS) in 2022.[11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Yahya Qanie — Social Entrepreneur & Policy Advocate". Yahya Qanie Official Website. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Asia Global Voices: Afghanistan". Asia Global Online. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Database: Qanei, Mohammad Yahya". Afghan Bios. May 24, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Building the Alternative". CNXUS. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  5. ↑ "High-Level Global Conference on Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes". UN Web TV. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  6. ↑ "UN News Report on Youth and Peace". UN News. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Articles by Mohammad Yahya Qanie". Le Monde diplomatique. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Political and Security Analysis". Tribune Zamaneh. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Author Profile: Yahya Qanie". Khaama Press. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  10. ↑ "An Afghan's Journey to a New Life in the U.S." Blue Marble Review. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  11. 1 2 "Center for Global Affairs Announces Three Recipients of Afghan Crisis Scholarship". NYU School of Professional Studies. 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  12. ↑ "At Kabul Model UN, Afghan youth urged to work toward positive change". United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). October 30, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Afghan Youth Reclaiming Their Voice and Reimagining a Better Future". One Young World. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Opening Speech of HE Prime Minister at the High-Level Global Conference on Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar. January 22, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  15. ↑ "World Leaders Renew Commitment to Youth, Peace and Security Agenda". UN Youth Envoy. January 24, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  16. ↑ "World Leaders Renew Commitment to Youth, Peace and Security Agenda". Education Above All (EAA). January 22, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Article 2315". Le Monde diplomatique (Persian). Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Young Afghanistan: Fighting the Taliban, the peace process and the future". The Independent. 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Opinion: Afghan Youth and the Democratic Struggle". TOLOnews. 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Opinion: The Role of Youth in Post-Conflict Reconciliation". TOLOnews. 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Peace talks are not as effective as they used to be". 8am News. 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Millions of Afghans are Being Deported by Islamic Republic Amid Fears of Uprising". Kayhan Life. 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
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