Yasmeen Peer was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She received a BA with Honors from the University of Toronto, majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies and specializing in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She completed a Master's degree at the School of International Service at American University in Washington DC, majoring in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. While studying for her BA she worked with youth from countries engaged in protracted social and ethnic conflict at Seeds of Peace International Camp. During this period she traveled to the Middle East several times, engaging with NGOs such as Gush Shalom, Women in Black, and Seeds of Peace, among others. She is awaiting publication of her Master's thesis on the 2002 Gujarat Genocide in India and how to prevent future instances of violence between Hindus and Muslims. Yasmeen's passions for conflict resolution, human rights, and finding paths towards peace have been the main motivation behind both her academic studies and her activism.