Nigerian spoken word artist and poet Maryam Bukar Hassan, known as Alhanislam, has been designated as the United Nations’ first Global Advocate for Peace. This historic appointment positions Hassan as a leading voice in the UN’s peace and security efforts, representing the organization’s Peace and Security Pillar at a time when the world faces record levels of human suffering and conflict.
Hassan will leverage her artistic influence to support the UN’s peace initiatives, focusing specifically on advancing the rights and meaningful representation of women and youth through art, storytelling, and public advocacy. Her role encompasses working with UN Peace Operations and Political and Peacebuilding Affairs to amplify efforts toward political solutions, youth and women empowerment, and sustainable peace.
Born in northern Nigeria, Hassan’s childhood was tragically shaped by insurgency and violence. Forced to move between Borno and Kaduna States, she witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of armed groups like Boko Haram in the region where nearly 300 Chibok schoolgirls were abducted over a decade ago, many of whom remain missing. Her early experiences with conflict began at age four when armed men broke into her home, targeting families based on religious identity.
“I can remember the first war I experienced was when I was four-years-old,” Hassan recalls. “No child should remember such a thing at age four. They should remember smiles, not that they were almost killed because they were Muslim or Christian.” These formative experiences of violence and survival have profoundly shaped her understanding of peace as both a personal and collective necessity.
Hassan’s latest poem “Peace is a Verb,” written to mark her UN appointment, captures her philosophy: “Peace is not a silence you force into people’s mouths. It is not the absence of war; it is the presence of understanding.” Her poetry reflects both lived experience and a broader vision of struggle, resilience, and hope among communities coping with crisis and conflict.
“I wanted to encapsulate the human spirit,” Hassan explains. “People don’t just wake up one day and decide to start bombing each other. It comes from history, from the lack of choice, from resentment. It’s the war in the heart.” Her approach to peace emphasizes addressing root causes of violence and conflict rather than merely managing their symptoms.
Hassan’s designation comes as the UN marks its 80th anniversary amid global crises. Last year alone, conflicts led to nearly 50,000 deaths and more than 120 million people were forcibly displaced. The UN estimates that if current trends continue, two-thirds of the world’s poor will live in conflict-affected or fragile countries by 2030.
“The dedication of the Global Advocate’s time and energy to this effort will greatly increase awareness of the peace and security priorities of the United Nations,” says Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who heads UN Peace Operations. Rosemary DiCarlo, head of UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, adds: “Art has the power to move hearts, inspire action and bring communities together. Her voice will be an important partner in amplifying the UN’s efforts.”
Hassan envisions a peaceful world where “world leaders actually discuss how citizens can benefit and grow in their own countries,” where “people don’t have to look over their shoulders when they walk in the streets,” and where “vulnerabilities are not weaponized.” Her message particularly resonates with young people who often bear conflict’s heaviest burden.
“Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean that you’re powerless, and you’re not too small to make a difference,” Hassan offers. “The world may feel heavy but your voice, your choices, your compassion matter so long as we don’t give up on showing up in whatever way that we can.”
Hassan’s appointment represents the UN’s recognition that artistic voices can be powerful catalysts for peace. Her designation highlights the organization’s commitment to engaging diverse advocates who understand conflict’s human cost while offering hope for transformative change through creative expression and community engagement.
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