Dr. Ghassan Issa
General Coordinator
ANECD (ARC)

9 October 2026

Since he passed away in Paphos, Cyprus, I have been reflecting on the heartbreaking words and sincere­ tributes shared by friends, partners, and colleagues from all corners of the globe.

Today, I stand to honor the exceptional life and indelible memory of my lifelong friend, Youssef.

My friend Youssef was not merely a founding partner of the Arab Resource Collective (ARC), Chairman of the Board of the Global Consultative Group on Early Childhood Development, or a member of the Advisory Board of the Arab Network for Early Childhood Development (ANECD). He was, above all, a relentless pioneer who never wavered in his defense of children’s rights and human dignity.

Youssef’s life, leadership, and enduring memory are embodied in essential qualities that resonated in every tear and every word of his tributes.

1. The man I knew: Noble character, warm spirit, and genuine affection

Everyone loved Youssef, not only for his achievements but for the very essence of his being, a man whose heart overflowed with boundless kindness, quiet wisdom, and profound ethics.

• A moral compass and role model: He always amazed me and inspired those around him with his unwavering commitment to ethical values. He led by example, embodying the perfect balance between his personal life and family on one hand, and his humanitarian mission on the other.
• Warmth, humor, and joy: Behind his brilliant mind, I always saw that cheerful spirit, sweet singing, and infectious laughter that lit up the room, instilled tranquility in all of us, and made us feel safe.
• An inspiring spiritual guide: I will never forget how he would take us beneath “his loving wing”, whether when he welcomed me as a young man in my thirties at our first meeting more than forty years ago, or when he was guiding global leaders in the field of childhood.

He inspired us all to become better human beings.

2. A visionary leader: Uncompromising mind, faith in justice, and a pioneering intellect

Youssef possessed a rare combination of a relentless commitment to human rights and a calm strategic mind that reshaped the world view of early childhood education and care.

• An inexhaustible passion for justice: His life’s work stemmed from a profound sense of justice and an unshakeable belief in the inherent dignity and fundamental rights of every child.
• Clear thinking and insightful leadership: As a seasoned leader and global pioneer, he consistently demonstrated a calm, profound, and highly intelligent approach to addressing complex issues affecting children and their families.
• Building New Horizons: He never settled for the status quo. Rather, his wise leadership established regional and global alliances, creating new frameworks for the advancement of childhood in our Arab region and beyond.

3. The enduring impact: From ARC to ANECD in Arab countries and the world

Youssef’s legacy is measured by the tangible and long-term impact he had on institutions and communities, reaching the lives of Arab children and children around the world.

• An innovative community-based path and a mission that transcends borders: Today, as a co-founder of ARC, alongside my friend Ghanem Bibi, I stand before Youssef’s fundamental legacy to thank them both for including me as a co-founder of ARC more than forty years ago.
• ARC has been the embodiment of an innovative community-based process that has touched hearts and built capacities. His great ambition did not stop there. This creativity crystallized and later culminated in the launch of the Arab Network for Early Childhood. It was the living expression and constant pulse moving ARC mission from networking to establishing a network, disseminating it throughout the Arab countries and the entire world, confirming that genuine community work knows no boundaries.
• A global pioneer for children: Through decades of dedicated advocacy and institutional leadership, his work helped countless children achieve better lives, safer environments, and a brighter future.
• An impact that spans generations: By guiding and mentoring young child rights advocates for over four decades, Youssef built a sustainable movement of leaders who today carry on his legacy and vision.

Damascus’s unfulfilled dream… and the ongoing burden of his mission

How it pains me to recall our last meeting… We had agreed to visit Damascus after its liberation and inhale the scent of its jasmine together… However, fate decreed that we would not realize this shared dream, and that you would leave me before we could embrace our beloved Damascus together.

Youssef left an indelible mark on Arab and international humanitarian work, in addition to a profound and unfillable void in the hearts of all who knew him. I send my sincerest condolences to Kate, his wife who brought him immense joy, and to all who mourn him today.

My brother, my friend, my companion, and my mentor, Youssef Hajjar, was a man of pure heart and wise spirit. Despite my deep longing for him and our time together, and despite the sorrow of Damascus’s shattered dream, his mission, his vision, his laughter, and his melodious songs will remain the beacon illuminating the path of work we will continue in his memory.

(At Café Riche, Cairo 2023)

(Along the banks of the Jordan River)

(Along the banks of the Jordan River)