© 2023. ILLUSTRATION BY PEACE DIALOGUE NGO
Over two days, from August 24th to 25th, Peace Dialogue NGO convened a regional meeting in Tbilisi aimed at collectively designing a practical and mutually agreeable research methodology. Endorsed by both Armenian and Azerbaijani participants, the methodology seeks to thoroughly delve into urgent needs within their respective communities.
The subsequent study aspires to contribute impartial and comprehensive recommendations, mirroring the diverse concerns of those affected by the conflict. This amplifies the voices of those directly experiencing the repercussions of the unresolved dispute.
“This discussion is a truly valuable dialogue itself,” remarked a participant during the meeting. “I had never contemplated this perspective before. It struck me that in Azerbaijan and Armenia, our views on the fundamental aspects of the peace process are starkly opposing. While Armenians consider security and identity concerns as obstacles to constructing a lasting and dignified peace, Azerbaijanis argue that signing a peace deal will ultimately eliminate security threats,” the participant explained.
Throughout this meeting, participants discussed various tools and their relevance for the upcoming study and outlined a timeline for further project activities.
To ensure the project’s efficacy, Peace Dialogue enlisted the expertise of the Finnish CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation. For many years, CMI has played an active role in initiatives dedicated to enhancing peace efforts in the Caucasus region, particularly in the context of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Foundation’s experts will offer invaluable support to the teams in Armenia and Azerbaijan, guiding them through the research phase (data collection) and lending their analytical expertise to draw meaningful conclusions.
Notably, by the end of 2023, Armenian and Azerbaijani participants will generate reports encapsulating the findings of data analysis.
The project is implemented in partnership with the Conciliation Resources NGO through the support of the European Union. Project’s partner – CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation.
