Karam Raja Olabi

Karam (16), is a young human rights activist from Lebanon who grew up surrounded by instability, conflict and recurring wars. He saw children lose their homes, safety and access to education. These experiences shaped his determination to stand up for their rights.

For five years, Karam has represented Lebanon in the Regional Advisory Council for Children in the MENA region, where he was elected Head of the Advocacy Committee. He has also spoken directly to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child and contributed to international conferences on violence, justice and children affected by conflict. As Student Council President, he brought students’ concerns to national decision-makers and created new opportunities for young people to shape community action.

Karam’s advocacy has contributed to reforms concerning children in conflict with the law. In war-affected shelters, he helped change a restrictive policy so children could play freely and express their emotions, while giving girls greater flexibility. Through his Instagram page, he and Tia continue to share stories of children affected by conflict and raise awareness of children’s rights.