Born in Belgium, Ayman Ramdani has never lost touch with his roots. True to the values instilled by his Moroccan parents, he has built strong ties between Brussels and the Oriental region through acts of solidarity focused on supporting young people. Today, he continues to strengthen this connection through his community work with his NGO, Play4Peace. Born into a family with two brothers and two sisters, Ayman Ramdani grew up in Brussels, the son of parents originally from Oujda. His mother was a homemaker, and his father worked as a tram driver for 42 years. Ayman went on to study pharmacy at the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL). He later joined a major laboratory in the Benelux region, dedicating himself to pharmaceutical research. However, after developing a work-related illness caused by allergies to chemical products, he was forced to change careers. Seeking a new direction, he pursued further studies in social and legal sciences, eventually earning a law degree. Around 2010, Ayman returned to Morocco for the first time, launching a luxury brand distribution and promotion company in the national market. He also became involved in sports promotion through sponsorship initiatives. But when his father's health declined, his strong family ties drew him back to Belgium, where he took a position at an energy sector audit firm. Deeply affected by his father's passing, Ayman shifted his focus toward community work, promoting sports through the Play4Peace initiative. He organized a gala to benefit orphaned children. «We expected 250 people but ended up with 2,500. We didn't even have an ASBL, an NGO, or insurance — we built the organization from there», he recalls. The following year, the event drew 5,000 participants. Education: A Family Legacy Passed On Officially founded in 2014, the organization quickly gained recognition. Four years later, it won the Best Global Event Award at the Peace and Sport Forum, presided over by Prince Albert of Monaco. In 2021, Play4Peace was named an «SDGs Voice» by the Federal Institute for Sustainable Development, highlighting its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Today, the initiative partners with FIFA, UNESCO, football clubs, and state representatives, and enjoys the permanent patronage of the King of Belgium. Building on its momentum, the NGO later created House4Peace, a youth center in Brussels that offers support and daily educational activities. The center also hosts training programs, mentorship sessions, leadership development, and skill-building workshops to help disadvantaged youth access the same opportunities as their peers. Play4Peace was, above all, a tribute to Ayman's father. «When we were young, my father, who was an orphan and never attended school, taught us to respect others, stay humble, and pursue education to succeed — without ever forgetting where we came from. He even brought teachers into our home», Ayman shares. «This event was part of my grieving process. I thought I would organize a simple sports day and move on. I never expected such a turnout, or realized how great the need was. My father used to say, 'The best legacy I can leave you is education.'» «Our father gave us everything when it came to education. Despite financial hardships, we never lacked what mattered most. He didn't believe in buying us land or wealth — he believed in planting values, developing skills, and encouraging us to become leaders who would inspire future generations. He sowed seeds that we must now nurture and share». In November 2024, Ayman's efforts were recognized at the highest level: he was awarded Belgium's Order of the Crown by King Philippe. In early 2025, he was named Belgian Personality of the Year by Paris Match, becoming the first Moroccan to receive this honor. Laying the Foundations for Youth Empowerment Previously known mainly within community circles, Ayman Ramdani's work is now gaining broader recognition in both Belgium and Morocco. After reconnecting with his roots during visits to the Oriental region, he identified a significant need for youth support. «I met with NGOs, universities, and schools, and that's where the idea for a forum in Rabat was born — bringing together public and private actors, athletes, and politicians to share best practices and work collaboratively with young people», he explains. In April 2025, the first Play4Peace Forum was held in Rabat, in partnership with the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), the Belgian Embassy in Morocco, the Hiba Foundation, and the Moroccan National Olympic Committee (CNOM). Today, Ayman's goal is to return to the Oriental region to «reconnect with universities and local partners, and listen to students' expectations». «We can't arrive with ready-made solutions. We have to listen closely, without judgment, to create real synergy with associations, and to have a greater impact on young people by bringing together the private and public sectors — working humbly, respecting youth, and empowering them». To further strengthen ties between Belgium and Morocco, the forum also marked the launch of Play4Peace Morocco. For Ayman, the ambition is to energize a project that aligns with Morocco's New Development Model and the National Integrated Youth Program. In other words, the initiative seeks to «respond to national priorities for socio-economic integration» through education, training, access to culture, sports, leisure activities, economic inclusion, employment, and civic engagement. Since its founding in Brussels, Play4Peace has supported more than 20,000 young people.
