Fahd Jamaleddine Joins JA Worldwide Board of Governors
August 21, 2023
Earlier this summer, the JA Worldwide Board of Governors approved two new board members. We sat down with entrepreneur and innovator Fahd Jamaleddine—only the second person to sit in our official JA alumni seat on the board—to find out more about him and to discuss why he has chosen JA Worldwide from among all the organizations he could support.
Fahd’s Bio and Background
Fahd is a social entrepreneur, education consultant, and reform advocate. He has been designing and running multiple initiatives for national schools reform in Lebanon since 2014. His initiatives and interests are focused on building learning communities, digital up-skilling thousands of teachers, co-creating school sustainable solutions, redesigning schools for the future, and advocating for national curriculum policy reform.
Fahd was selected among top 20 social entrepreneurs innovating in politics in MENA in 2021 by FNF, selected in 2022 as a Kofi Annan Changemaker by the Kofi Annan Foundation in Geneva, belongs to the Social Entrepreneurs Collective at Teach For All, and recognized as a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum.
Fahd is the co-founder of nafda and Head of Transformation, a movement of schools aiming to shape the future of the schools in Lebanon. He is pursuing his graduate degree in Education Policy at the American University of Beirut.
Our Conversation with Fahd
JA Worldwide: Welcome, Fahd, to the JA Worldwide Board. We’d love to know more about your first involvement with JA and what drew you to want to deepen your engagement with our organization.
Fahd: My engagement with INJAZ and JA Worldwide has been a natural progression over the years, driven by my diverse experiences and personal growth. From my time as a school student (2007-2012) to university student (2013–2015), and later as a volunteer (2014–2020), ambassador, and founding vice-president (2017–2018), my involvement with INJAZ Lebanon has continued to expand. I have also served as a leadership staff member (2019–2020) and currently maintain a partnership with INJAZ Lebanon.
Throughout this 15-year journey, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of the JA model. Participating in numerous programs provided by INJAZ/JA has played a pivotal role in shaping me into the social entrepreneur I am today. My unwavering belief in the JA model stems from my personal experiences and the profound impact it has had on my own development.
Something important for me to add is that, as a student, I endured seven consecutive years of bullying simply for being myself. Unfortunately, neither the school nor my parents provided me with direct support, which led to a loss of faith in my own potential. But then I participated in my first INJAZ program, which ignited a spark. This initial experience paved the way for my involvement in over seven additional programs throughout my school and university years, significantly accelerating my personal growth and expanding my horizons.
Thanks to the entrepreneurial mindset fostered by JA, I made a firm decision to embark on a mission to transform education in my city and country. My goal is to ensure that children my age no longer have to endure the hardships I experienced. Since 2014, I have dedicated myself to designing and implementing various initiatives and organizations focused on school reform in Lebanon.
JA Worldwide: You bring deep experience to this role, Fahd. And the resilience you developed through your darkest days is a model for future students. We’re honored that JA in the Middle East and North Africa (INJAZ Al-Arab) was part of your story.
In addition to what you’ve already shared, what unique, unusual, or timely perspectives, skills, or experiences do you bring to the Board of Governors?
Fahd: At the age of 19, I co-founded a local innovative community center that has since served over 500 students. Additionally, during the pandemic, I took the initiative to reskill more than 4,000 teachers, equipping them with the necessary tools for remote learning. In 2021, I spearheaded a policy-advocacy campaign, uniting thousands of educators nationwide to advocate for comprehensive national curriculum reform. Most recently, I have co-founded an organization that brings schools together to co-design their own ideal school for the future.
Rooted in my experiences and fueled by unwavering commitment and passion, I am fully dedicated to shaping education in my country and making a positive impact on the broader global landscape. Based on my research at the American University of Beirut, I excel in developing education models that effectively scale innovations while prioritizing decolonization, local agency, and ownership, thereby accelerating their impact.
JA Worldwide: And does being a part of the JA alumni community support your efforts?
Fahd: For me, an extensive network of JA alumni worldwide enables me to provide valuable insights and serve as a strategic thought partner. Additionally, my on-ground experience and understanding enable me to offer implementation support for effective strategies to the team. I bring a timely perspective that ensures the voices of current alumni are heard.
JA Worldwide: What do you hope to accomplish in your term as a JA Worldwide Governor?
Fahd: As a representative of the Global South—specifically the MENA region and my home country, Lebanon—I aim to bring a unique perspective to the board. Given the multidimensional poverty and ongoing crises in Lebanon, I understand the urgent need for inclusive solutions. Additionally, I hope my youthful voice as a 28-year-old will provide a fresh and forward-thinking outlook to the board's discussions and decision-making processes!
With my affiliation to Teach for All, World Economic Forum & Kofi Annan Foundation I have been an observer to how global organizations/ networks shape the agenda of local organizations. I want to support in shaping the narrative & future agenda of JA global network to influence sustainable & inclusive local action.
As I continue to grow and evolve, my deepening engagement with INJAZ and JA Worldwide is driven by the conviction that these programs hold immense potential to empower and inspire young individuals, equipping them with the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in the ever-changing world we live in.
A Worldwide: Thank you, Fahd. And welcome to the JA Worldwide Board of Governors!
Our two newest board members: Zabeen Hirji (left) and Fahd Jamaleddine (right) attend the JA Worldwide Board of Governors meeting in Oslo, Norway.