Lehaz Aldarf (they/them) is an educator, a youth mental health consultant, trainer and human rights advocate specialising in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across education, policymaking and community development. A graduate of Freie Universität Berlin with a Bachelor’s in special education, Lehaz is dedicated to creating inclusive, trauma-informed educational environments for refugees and immigrants in Western, educated, industrialised, rich and democratic (WEIRD) countries, leveraging emotional literacy and innovative educational strategies to foster resilience, growth and empowerment. 

Since 2019, Lehaz has played a key role in national and European initiatives supporting young people whose education was disrupted by war and displacement, collaborating with organisations including Sprungbrett Zukunft e.V. and Back on Track e.V. They provide political education and empowerment training for newly arrived individuals, including queer refugees, and facilitate anti-bias workshops for professionals in multicultural contexts, bridging the gap between expertise and lived experience. 

Lehaz also partners with organisations such as Respect for Greece to advance education rights across Europe and works closely with Syrian women and individuals with marginalised gender identities to amplify their voices in policymaking. As an active member of a queer Arab collective in Berlin, they promote visibility, solidarity and advocacy. Outside their professional work, Lehaz enjoys cooking and pottery, practices that connect them to their cultural roots and community.