In this special one-year anniversary episode, Abdel-Illah Boukhezer, Founder and President of the Middle East and Africa Institute for Strategic Studies, reflects on the Institute’s journey from concept to implementation.
What began as an idea developed in the corridors of La Sorbonne evolved into a youth-led, impact-driven think tank operating across borders to drive change in Africa and the Middle East. The conversation explores the founding vision, the behind-the-scenes work of launching the Institute’s first conference, and the rapid growth that has followed.
The discussion dives into youth leadership as a strategic pillar, regional integration, and why shifting from a profit-first to an impact-driven model is critical for the future of policy research.
This episode offers insight into how institutions can rethink traditional structures and empower the next generation to shape geopolitical dialogue.
