© 2025. ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH.COM. PHOTO BY BRIGITTA SCHNEITER

---

To apply, please fill out the form here: Application Form

---

Ready to unlock your potential, dive into the creative world of theatre, and take your first steps toward self-discovery?

Peace Dialogue NGO invites you to join the 4-day Summer School of Stories and Narratives — a transformative journey where you will:

✅️ Develop your creative and analytical thinking skills
✅️ Explore the power of stories and narratives and their impact
✅️ Discover theater from a fresh and unique perspective
✅️ Strengthen your communication and self-expression abilities
✅️ Connect with others in a warm and supportive environment
✅️ Create lasting memories in a summer of growth and inspiration

The Summer School warmly welcomes young people aged 17–20 from the Northern regions of Armenia.

All participants will receive a certificate of completion.

Participation is completely FREE.

Only 10 participants will be selected.

🕓 When? August 19–23, 2025

🚩 Where? KASA Center, Gyumri, Armenia (69 Shahumyan Street)

Accommodation and travel expenses will be fully covered by the organizers.

⏳ Application deadline: August 10, 2025

☎️ For more information, contact us via WhatsApp at +37493334195 or send a message to Rima Galstyan’s Facebook page (rima.galstyan3)

---

Project’s German Partner – OWEN – Mobile Akademie für Geschlechterdemokratie und Friedensförderung e.V.

 

The project CONTACT 3.0 is supported by the zivik (Civil  Conflict Resolution) programme of the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (ifa) with means from the German Federal Foreign Office.

 

 

 

 

 

Read More on Events

© 2025. ILLUSTRATION BY PEACE DIALOGUE NGO

---

THIS CALL IS NOW CLOSED.

Thank you to everyone who applied.

---

 Please complete the Application Form under the link below.

---

Call for Participation

FORESIGHT ARMENIA: EXPLORING FUTURE SCENARIOS FOR 2025–2028
Two-Day Public Workshop | Organized by Peace Dialogue NGO

Peace Dialogue NGO is pleased to invite civil society actors, independent experts, and international stakeholders to participate in a two-day workshop titled “FORESIGHT ARMENIA: Exploring Future Scenarios for 2025–2028”, dedicated to examining Armenia’s strategic trajectory in the years ahead. The event will take place off-site in Dilijan on 11–12 August, 2025.

This initiative builds on a recently held closed-door workshop that gathered Members of Parliament, government representatives, and a select group of civil society organizations and experts. Together, they explored both best- and worst-case scenarios for the region, with a particular emphasis on the potential implications of the signing—or absence—of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As a result, four plausible strategic scenarios were developed, outlining distinct pathways Armenia may follow through 2028.

At a time when Armenia faces critical choices across its domestic, regional, and geopolitical landscape, this public workshop will serve as a platform to:

✅ Assess the perceived likelihood and internal logic of each scenario

✅ Analyze their implications for democracy, sovereignty, security, economy, gender equality, environment, and societal cohesion

✅ Co-develop early warning indicators and actionable policy recommendations to enhance Armenia’s resilience and preparedness

Who Can Apply?

Peace Dialogue welcomes applications from:

✅ Civil society organizations working on human rights, youth, gender, environment, democratization, and social justice

✅ Independent experts, analysts, and academics

✅ Representatives of foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations operating in Armenia

Expected Output

The insights generated during the workshop will be captured in a concise Policy Brief, summarizing key findings, reflections, and forward-looking recommendations.

Participation & Logistics

✅ Working Language: Armenian (simultaneous English translation provided)

✅ Format: In-person workshop, held under Chatham House Rule

✅ Access: Participation is strictly by registration; only approved applicants will be allowed to attend

✅ Agenda: Shared upon confirmation of participation

✅ Participants List: Shared with confirmed participants

✅ Location: To be confirmed and shared with registered participants

✅ Costs Covered: All expenses including transportation, accommodation, and catering will be covered by Peace Dialogue NGO

📅 Application Deadline: July 17, 2025

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Organizational matters: Taline Nichanian | 📞 +374 93 946 446
Content-related matters: Edgar Khachatryan | 📞 +374 93 820 632

---

 

This initiative is carried out by Peace Dialogue NGO in partnership with Conciliation Resources, with financial support from the European Union through its EU4Peace programme. The project is implemented in close collaboration with CMI – the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation. CMI provides methodological guidance and facilitation through its Digital Peacemaking Team.

The event will be implemented in partnership with the Armenian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum.

 

Read More on Events

© 2025. ILLUSTRATION BY PEACE DIALOGUE NGO

---

Peace Dialogue is a non-religious, non-political, human rights, peacebuilding NGO, established in 2009 in Armenia. The organization strives to unite experienced human rights defenders and peacebuilding activists in Eastern Partnership countries and Europe with the aim of promoting human rights protection and peaceful settlement of conflicts.

The organization operates at the local, regional, and international levels.

VISION:

The vision of Peace Dialogue is the establishment of peaceful and democratic societies grounded in the supremacy of rights and the rule of law.

MISSION:

In conflict and post-conflict environments, through its initiatives conducted locally, regionally, and internationally, Peace Dialogue endeavors to make meaningful contributions to:

• Forming multi-dimensional dialogue,
• Protecting human rights,
• Cultivating a culture of peace and fostering peace movement,
• Nurturing respect for democratic values,
• Facilitating the development and fortification of democratic institutions,
• Avocating for the interests and rights of conflict-affected groups.

The strategy is informed by comprehensive analyses conducted by the Peace Dialogue team, aiming to shed light on:

• Political and civil developments in Armenia following the 2020 Armenian-Azerbaijani war, Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and the resulting geopolitical shifts;
• Ongoing challenges related to human rights protection and the country’s democratization trajectory;
• Political and civic dynamics, as well as the challenges and opportunities for peacebuilding and human rights advocacy, in conflict-affected countries across the Eastern Partnership region.

Particular attention was given to the challenges faced in the Lori region—especially in Vanadzor—and to the needs and interests of local residents in the areas of human rights, democracy, and peacebuilding.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:

At the local, regional, and international levels, the initiatives undertaken by Peace Dialogue NGO are aimed at:

• Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
• Ensuring equal participation of women and men in political and civil processes,
• Supporting democratic reforms and enhancing public oversight in Armenia,
• Establishing civilian oversight over decision-making processes of state institutions,
• Fostering mutual trust and dialogue within Armenian society and among post-conflict and conflict-affected countries in the Eastern Partnership region; reducing militarization, nationalist and patriarchal tendencies; promoting counter-narratives; challenging gender stereotypes; and increasing gender sensitivity,
• Protecting the rights and interests of conflict-affected individuals, including families of those missing during the Karabakh wars, former prisoners of war, ex-servicemen, and refugees,
• Building resilience against hybrid threats to democracy, human rights, and national security in Armenia,
• Developing and strengthening proactive civil society, human rights, and peacebuilding capacities,
• Supporting initiatives with significant civil, social, and political impact.

STRATEGIC THEMATIC AREAS (2026–2030):

From 2026 to 2030, Peace Dialogue will focus on the following strategic areas:

⇒ Human Rights and Democracy

Promoting democratic values, safeguarding human rights, and fostering inclusive governance.

⇒ Culture of Peace and Conflict Transformation

Cultivating a culture of peace through dialogue, nonviolent conflict resolution, and reconciliation efforts.

⇒ Community Development and Civic Engagement

Empowering communities through capacity building, participatory development, and active civic involvement.

⇒ Resilience to Hybrid Threats

Strengthening societal resilience against hybrid threats targeting democracy, human rights, and national security.

To realize the strategic objectives outlined above, the organization prioritizes the strengthening of its team and the enhancement of staff capabilities.

METHODOLOGY:

• Human rights monitoring,
• Provision of egal advice and assistance,
• Documentation of human rights violations,
• Media engagement and communication,
• Exchange of experience and best practices,
• Capacity building through formal and non-formal education,
• Development and dissemination of policy frameworks and concepts,
• Lobbying and advocacy efforts,
• Collaboration with state institutions,
• Networking,
• Establishment of dialogue platforms,
• Promotion of international cooperation.

TARGET GROUPS:

• State institutions, including the National Assembly,
• Civil society,
• Expert community,
• Media representatives,
• International structures and organizations (e.g., the European Union, Council of Europe),
• Combatants and their family members,
• War-affected populations, including families of individuals missing during the Karabakh wars, former prisoners of war, former servicemen, refugees,
• Relatives of servicemen who died in non-combat conditions,
• Representatives of civil societies from post-Soviet, post-conflict, and conflict-affected countries,
• Adolescents, youth, and older individuals residing in various regions and settlements of Armenia,
• Peace Dialogue’s staff and volunteers.

---

Approved by the Board:

Edgar Khachatryan  

Anna Pambukhchyan

Marianna Khazhakyan

Hayk Toroyan

Armine Zakaryan

 

Read More on ACTIVITIES

© 2025. PHOTO BY NABIL SALEH. SOURCE: HTTPS://UNSPLASH.COM/

---

On May 31–June 1, 2025, Peace Dialogue NGO organized a Multi-Stakeholder Foresight Dialogue in Dilijan, Armenia under the title “Exploring Future Scenarios, Trends, and Signals in Armenian-Azerbaijani Relations.” The event brought together a diverse group of participants—including parliamentarians, representatives of governmental institutions, and civil society actors—to explore how the evolving dynamics between Armenia and Azerbaijan might unfold in the coming years.

The dialogue aimed to create a collaborative space for participants to explore the future of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations through structured scenario-building and inclusive exchange. Specifically, it sought to analyze emerging regional trends and geopolitical developments, identify key risks and their security implications, clarify the role of stakeholders and institutions in shaping peaceful outcomes, and promote actionable strategies that support positive scenarios while mitigating those that could threaten stability. The process was facilitated by Dr. John A. Sweeney and Mr. Haik Toroyan from CMI – the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation (Finland).

Over the course of two days, the group developed four plausible future scenarios, each shaped by different political trajectories in Armenia and shifting international dynamics. Rather than serving as predictions, these scenarios offered frameworks for thinking critically about how key decisions—particularly those following the 2026 elections—could influence Armenia’s future direction.

Some scenarios envisioned a change in government, with attempts to continue the peace agenda unfolding under increasing external influence, particularly from Russia. These pathways raised concerns about Armenia’s gradual loss of sovereign agency, the weakening of democratic institutions, and deeper integration into regional structures that challenge national autonomy. Other scenarios explored the breakdown of peace negotiations altogether—marked by repression, re-militarization, and authoritarian drift—resulting in mass emigration and societal polarization. Alternatively, other scenarios depicted the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement with Azerbaijan, setting the stage for gradual socio-economic progress, expanded cooperation with neighbors, and deeper integration with the European Union and the United States—despite ongoing hybrid threats from Russia.

Across all scenarios, participants assessed the short- and long-term implications for democracy, sovereignty, security, and social and economic development. In the longer term, these developments could either lay the foundation for inclusive and resilient institutions or entrench Armenia in a cycle of stagnation, dependency, and fragmentation.

Several cross-cutting challenges appeared consistently: social polarization, external geopolitical pressure, and emigration surfaced in nearly every imagined future. Emigration, in particular, was understood not just as a consequence of instability, but also as a factor that could accelerate national vulnerability. At the same time, the foresight exercise highlighted space for resilience, reform, and strategic agency, urging a more active role for Armenian society in shaping its own trajectory.

By envisioning such contrasting pathways, the foresight dialogue underscored a central message: Armenia’s future is not predetermined. It will depend on the political choices made domestically, the international alliances it builds, and the capacity of its society to navigate complex transitions with clarity, courage, and foresight.

Peace Dialogue NGO will continue building on the insights generated through this process to foster inclusive public dialogue, inform civil society strategies, and support long-term peacebuilding efforts rooted in accountability and critical reflection.

---

 

This initiative is carried out by Peace Dialogue NGO in partnership with Conciliation Resources, with financial support from the European Union through its EU4Peace programme. The project is implemented in close collaboration with CMI – the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation. CMI provides methodological guidance and facilitation through its Digital Peacemaking Team.

 

Read More on ACTIVITIES

THIS CALL IS NOW CLOSED.

Thank you to everyone who applied.

 

31 May – 2 June 2025

The Know-How

The foresight process will be co-designed and facilitated with the active participation of the Digital Peacemaking Team from the CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation (Finland), an internationally recognized leader in peace innovation. Their cutting-edge digital tools and AI-supported methodologies will guide the documentation, analysis, and synthesis of outcomes—providing a strong foundation for future policymaking and engagement.

The dialogue will be led by Dr. John A. Sweeney, Senior Advisor on Futures and Foresight at CMI. Dr. Sweeney is the UNESCO Chair in Futures Studies in Anticipatory Governance and Sustainable Policymaking at Westminster International University in Tashkent. He also serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of World Futures Review and teaches in the University of Houston’s Master’s Program in Strategic Foresight.

Read More on ANNOUNCEMENTS

PHOTO: INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT:
© 2025. IMAGE SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

---

Author: Apolline Massez, Peace Dialogue NGO

---

ABSTRACT

This paper examines Armenia’s accession to the ICC amid evolving peace negotiations with Azerbaijan. It explores the legal and political obstacles to accountability and proposes alternative mechanisms for promoting justice and sustainable peace in the region.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In February 2024, Armenia became the 120th State Party to the Rome Statute, signalling its commitment to strengthening international justice mechanisms amid ongoing regional tensions. However, peace negotiations with Azerbaijan and mounting external pressures, particularly from Russia, have challenged Armenia’s ability to fully leverage its ICC membership. Although legally empowered to refer cases to the Court, Armenia has hesitated, fearing political escalation and constrained by the draft peace agreement’s rejection of international judicial involvement. Additional legal challenges, such as limitations on the ICC’s temporal and territorial jurisdiction, further complicate prospects for accountability. Alternative pathways—such as transitional justice, hybrid tribunals, and universal jurisdiction—offer potential, albeit limited, mechanisms for addressing past atrocities. Ultimately, Armenia faces a critical decision: whether to uphold its obligations under international law and pursue justice for its citizens, or to prioritize short-term political stability at the cost of long-term peace and accountability.

---

Read More on PUBLICATIONS

© 2024. PHOTO BY PEACE DIALOGUE NGO. AUTHOR: RIMA GALSTYAN

---

From July 29 to August 3, 2024, Peace Dialogue NGO hosted the «Mind Puzzle» summer school in Gyumri, designed to cultivate creative, analytical, and critical thinking among 12 young individuals from the Shirak, Lori, and Tavush regions of northern Armenia. Among the participants were young people from families forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, who had found refuge in these regions. This initiative was part of the «Contact 3.0» project by Peace Dialogue, in partnership with the German organization OWEN.

Under the guidance of Rima Galstyan and dedicated volunteers from Vanadzor, the «Mind Puzzle» summer school provided a vibrant platform for young participants to explore their potential, gain new insights, and develop essential skills in self-expression and self-discovery. The program featured a diverse range of activities that encouraged participants to share experiences, overcome stereotypes, enhance communication, and apply analytical tools.

A central element of the program was Playback Theater, offering a creative and interactive method for exploring various perspectives. This approach aimed to promote self-expression, reframe personal narratives, and foster resilience and personal growth. Additionally, key discussions on stereotypes and identity were enriched by a comprehensive two-day course on conflict analysis, led by expert Hayk Toroyan. This course sharpened participants’ analytical and critical thinking skills, broadening their perspectives on conflict resolution. The interactive team-building exercises further strengthened trust and collaboration among the participants.

The active involvement of volunteers, many of whom had participated in previous Peace Dialogue initiatives, was crucial to the program’s success. Their contributions illustrate the organization’s commitment to empowering youth and inspiring them to develop their own initiatives and ideas.

---

The summer school was implemented in the scope of the project Contact 3.0.

Read More on ACTIVITIES