About Maya

In 2015 Maya Ghazal fled Damascus leaving behind her home, her plans and dreams. With determination, hope and resilience she started a new life in the UK and is currently studying Aviation Engineering at Brunel University.  Maya now dreams of becoming the first female Syrian refugee pilot.

A recipient of the Princess Diana Legacy Award, Maya is a prominent advocate for refugee rights and has been supporting UNHCR since 2017.  Maya has supported World Refugee Day by attending events including a UNHCR reception at the Palace of Westminster, through media and social media. 

In 2019 Maya gave a powerfully inspiring speech at TEDxPalaisDesNationsWomen in which she smashed stereotypes and offered five solutions to better understanding refugees and why we should invest in their limitless potential.

Ahead of World Refugee Day 2019, Maya has been cooking up a storm with fellow UNHCR supporter Stanley Tucci for Buzzfeed's 'Proper Tasty'.

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