Nigerian poet and activist Maryam Bukar Hassan, widely known by her artistic name Alhanislam, has been named the United Nations’ inaugural Global Advocate for Peace, marking a historic step in integrating art and grassroots activism into global diplomacy. The appointment recognizes her decades of work uplifting communities affected by conflict, particularly in Nigeria’s Borno State, where she witnessed firsthand the devastation wrought by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Hassan’s new role follows her recent appearance at New York’s Central Park Summerstage festival, where she delivered a stirring spoken-word performance titled Peace is a Verb to over 3,000 attendees. “Peace is not a line we cross. It is a choice that we make over and over again,” she declared, her words echoing through the crowd. “If war teaches us how to shatter, then peace must teach us how to stay—to stay soft, to stay human.” Earlier that day, she met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and senior officials to discuss strategies for advancing sustainable peacebuilding.
Born in a region scarred by decades of violence, Hassan channeled personal witness into advocacy, focusing on women’s rights, youth empowerment, and the transformative potential of art. Her poetry amplifies the resilience of marginalized communities, blending stark imagery of conflict with calls for collective action. “Poetry might not change the world,” she told the audience, “but it can inspire people to take action—and when people act, the world changes.”
The UN position will enable Hassan to expand her efforts through storytelling initiatives, digital campaigns, and international collaborations. Central to her mandate is amplifying the voices of women and young people in peace processes, groups often excluded from formal negotiations despite bearing the brunt of war’s consequences. Her approach emphasizes emotional engagement as a catalyst for social change. “If you cannot inspire, you cannot lead,” she remarked, underscoring her belief in art’s power to reshape perspectives.
Hassan’s work gains urgency as global conflicts displace record numbers of civilians, with over 110 million people forcibly displaced worldwide as of 2023. Her focus on Nigeria’s northeast—where Boko Haram’s 14-year insurgency has displaced 2 million people—reflects broader challenges in regions transitioning from violence to stability. Analysts note her appointment signals the UN’s growing recognition of localized, culturally rooted strategies in addressing crises.
In coming months, Hassan plans to launch multimedia projects documenting peacebuilders in conflict zones and host workshops pairing artistic expression with conflict resolution training. “We’re not just rebuilding structures,” she said. “We’re rebuilding trust, dignity, and the belief that another future is possible.” The UN expects her fusion of activism and artistry to resonate across generations, reframing peace not as an abstract ideal but as daily, deliberate practice.
