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

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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.

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

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© 2024. VIDEO BY «OUR VOICES» VIDEO-PODCAST

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Dana Sardaryan – the project’s author.

Recognizing the insufficient attention given to the opinions and experiences of Armenian youth in the country’s political landscape, the “Our Voices” video-podcast—part of the “CONTACT 3.0” project—seeks to provide a platform for young people to engage in meaningful discussions about political and social issues. This initiative offers youth the chance to voice their perspectives without the need for any professional background or formal education. Here, we truly listen to the voices of the youth.

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Episode 1: Why do young people avoid politics?

In today’s episode, we explore the engagement of young people in politics. We’ll discuss the changes young people are advocating for, the reasons behind their disinterest and avoidance of political involvement, and explore potential solutions to increase their participation. See full podcast in Armenian.

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Episode 2: Exploring Identity: What Defines an Armenian, Homeland, and Patriotism?

What defines an Armenian? Is it membership in the Apostolic Church, pride in one’s heritage, or the components of one’s identity? Can a genetic link alone qualify someone as Armenian? In this episode, Donara Sardaryan explores these pivotal questions on homeland and patriotism with guests Ani Chilingaryan and Hovhannes Babayan.

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Episode 3: Reevaluating Ties: The Complex Relationship Between Armenia and Russia

Is Russia an ally or adversary to Armenia? What are the perspectives of young Armenians on the nation’s relationship with Russia? Is Russia viewed as a savior, or is it prudent to regard them as enemies? Join Donara Sardaryan along with guests Mary Bareghamyan and Rafael Hayryan as they delve into these critical questions, exploring the complexities of Armenian-Russian relations.

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Episode 4: Women’s Rights, Discrimination, and Involvement in Politics

Why are women often overlooked in politics? Is it discrimination if women are not required to serve in the military? Are women inherently strong? Why do many women leave their professions or lag in their journey to becoming top specialists? These critical questions form the cornerstone of today’s program, addressing the challenges and biases that women face in various aspects of society. Join us as we explore these issues, bringing to light the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women across all professional and societal roles.

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Episode 5: Vulnerable Groups in Armenian Society

In this episode, we delve into the challenges faced by vulnerable groups within Armenian society. We explore how majority decisions impact these groups and question the fairness of these impacts. Does the involvement of minorities in majority decisions contribute to state development? What factors determine a state’s prosperity? Is Armenia a social state, and are our taxes being used appropriately? These pressing questions form the core of today’s discussion.

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Episode 6: The Power of the Diaspora – Exploring Identity and Alienation Within Armenia

In this episode, we delve into the dynamics of the Armenian diaspora and its influential role, as well as the pervasive feeling of alienation some experience within Armenia. We explore critical questions: Why do Armenians themselves often drive divisions within their community? How do cultural differences influence our sense of unity? Is the creation of a diaspora a pivotal moment, and what should our collective goal be?

Join us as we address these foundational questions in today’s discussion.

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Episode 7: Changing Lifestyles for Nature: ‘Clean’ and the Impact of Single-Use Plastic

In the 7th edition of Our Voices, we delve into the work of “Makur” NGO, focusing on its contributions to environmental protection and the significant impact of every plastic item. Enjoy the episode, actively participate in our discussion, and share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

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© 2024. IMAGE SOURCE: ISTOCKPHOTO

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In places where tension is a constant backdrop and the threat of escalating conflict is always present, the need for initiatives that build peace is undeniable. Especially for the younger generation, stepping into the realm of peacebuilding is both a critical and daunting task. Their projects need to navigate the complex balance between doing no harm, staying relevant to their contexts, and overcoming societal pressures that might silence their calls for peace. This was the central theme of a workshop organized by Peace Dialogue NGO, part of the Contact 3.0 project, aimed at addressing these challenges. The workshop, titled “Obtaining Effective Methodology for Designing Peacebuilding Local Initiatives,” took place from March 2 to March 3, 2024, and focused on deepening young participants’ understanding of peacebuilding, its challenges, and strategies for creating impactful local initiatives.

The first day of the workshop served as an introduction to the basics of peacebuilding for the 10 participants. They learned about UN Resolution 2250 on “Youth, Peace, and Security,” which emphasizes goals like involvement, protection, and cooperation. The participants were also exposed to various tools and methods for analyzing conflicts, aiming to equip them with the knowledge needed to address peacebuilding challenges effectively. This session encouraged them to share their thoughts on obstacles to peace they’ve encountered in their lives, facilitating a discussion on common stereotypes and challenges.

On the second day, the atmosphere shifted towards collaboration and creativity. Participants brainstormed ideas for initiatives that could foster critical thinking, increase political participation, and empower young people through innovative approaches. The Contact 3.0 team was there to guide them through defining their project goals, identifying their target audience, and assessing potential risks. With this support, the young participants developed strategies to mitigate these risks, ensuring their projects could move forward responsibly.

This workshop highlighted the importance of thoughtful preparation and support for youth-led peace initiatives by promoting a deeper understanding of peacebuilding, strategic planning, and mutual empowerment.

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The workshop was implemented in the scope of the project Contact 3.0.

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© 2023. PHOTO BY PEACE DIALOGUE NGO. AUTHOR: NIKOLA TURIÈRE

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By Nikola Turière & Rima Galstyan

In the summer of 2023, Peace Dialogue NGO embarked on an inspiring journey to empower young minds in Vanadzor, Armenia. Guided by Nikola Turière and Rima Galstyan, the Brainstorming Theater youth club became a dynamic platform for teenagers to explore their potential, engage in grassroots projects, and become active and informed citizens. This activity was part of a project CONTACT 3.0 that is implemented by Peace Dialogue NGO in partnership with the German partner OWEN eV.

The main aim of Brainstorming Theatre was to spark curiosity, nurture interest, and encourage active involvement among young people in community activities. The organizers wanted to help these young minds become critical thinkers and open-minded individuals who could bring positive change to their neighborhoods.

At the core of Brainstorming Theatre was the use of theater exercises and games inspired by Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed. Participants explored various aspects of this interactive method, including Simultaneous Dramaturgy, Image Theatre, and Forum Theatre. Co-facilitators organized team-building activities to build trust and camaraderie among the group.

The participants embarked on a journey of self-discovery through skits inspired by their own life experiences. Brainstorming Theatre provided a stage for these young teenagers to share their personal stories and confront their inner struggles. This process allowed them to let go of negative emotions, fostering personal growth and healing.

Inessa Ghubatyan, one of the participants, beautifully summed up the essence of Brainstorming Theatre by describing it as a place ‘to understand how limitless our imagination is, to experience different emotions, to communicate with people who have very interesting thinking, to gain new experience and knowledge and to discover the theater in its own way […] we allow our mind to create without limits, to analyze every situation from our point of view’.

As the summer club came to an end, Peace Dialogue expressed its intention to involve the participants in various upcoming initiatives. This marks the beginning of a promising journey toward active civic engagement and continued empowerment for these young individuals.

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

The project CONTACT 2.0 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.

 

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Peace Dialogue NGO invites young people from Lori region to participate in its new initiative Brainstorming Theatre.

It is implemented within the framework of the Contact 3.0 project led by Peace Dialogue NGO and German organization OWEN. This initiative aims to identify and develop the potential of young people to take active initiative and bring about positive change in their communities. Brainstorming Theatre is one of the actions in this direction, with the objective of forming public demand for civil activism among the youth of Lori region, as well as drawing interest in engaging in various local projects. With this initiative, we seek to encourage young people to think critically and contribute to building their desired future.

It is planned to hold 10-12 meetings, each lasting 2-3 hours (including a coffee break), in Vanadzor (Lori region) during the months of July-August 2023. The initiative will consist of interactive games, theater exercises, and improvisations that will promote group work efficiency and creativity.

To participate in Brainstorming Theater, please fill out the following application.

We inform you that the data mentioned by you will not be published and will not be provided to any other third party.

The deadline to apply for the project is June 26, 2023.

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

The project CONTACT 2.0 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.

 

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© 2023. IMAGE SOURCE: https://www.istockphoto.com

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By Nikola Turiere (France)

From 8 to 12 May 2023 in Tbilisi, Peace Dialogue NGO in partnership with the German organization OWEN, implemented a kick-off International Reflection Meeting as part of its new project CONTACT 3.0. Involving young activists from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Germany, these series of workshops aimed at understanding personal and dominant national narratives through the lens of young civil society members in conflict-affected areas and striving to identify needs- and human-centered topics on which they would like to work in the future with the communities they are coming from. During the encounter, in addition to the International Reflection Meeting, the project team and the participants planned next steps of the project and reflected upon the implementation of peace-oriented projects in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

• Understanding personal, national, and regional narratives linked to war / conflict perception in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Germany;
• Integrating the human security approach to peacebuilding, as a people-centered approach;
• Identifying and analyzing the obstacles that prevent youth from getting active in local initiatives.
• Developing ideas for local projects to be organized by young actors in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Germany in the upcoming months of the project.

By using interactive methods and working in groups, participants gained different perspectives on war and conflict narratives, both at the individual and regional level, and on the situation in the South Caucasus region as well as in the Western part of the Post-Soviet area and Germany. This focus on narratives allowed the participants to get a broader picture of the impact of the conflict and to raise awareness on confidence and trust-building topics for promoting peacebuilding efforts in conflict-affected societies. The various discussions on narratives gave deep insights on discourse shifts and enabled participants to critically question their own vision of both their personal narratives and the main narratives spread in their respective societies.

These discussions were completed by a human security workshop delivered by a field expert from Georgia, raising the importance of enriching peacebuilding and human rights fields by human-centered approaches rather than focusing only on state-centered security issues. Participants reflected upon how they can put into practice this theoretical approach in their local projects to be implemented in their particular contexts.

This series of workshops ended by a group work aimed at analyzing the obstacles preventing youth from getting active in local initiatives. These reflections helped the participants from Armenia and Azerbaijan to take the first step in designing project ideas to implement further in their respective contexts. In the course of the encounter, more precisions and reflections were added to the work from previous project phases, integrating all the work the participants did during the event. Throughout the upcoming five months, the key actors of the project will lead the local initiatives involving young people from their own communities to develop interest towards relevant topics and empower them to engage in and build sustainable and trustful relationships in their communities.

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© 2023. ILLUSTRATION BY PEACE DIALOGUE NGO

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Welcome to Peace Dialogue’s Annual Review for 2021-2022!

The past two years have been marked by significant geopolitical developments that have challenged the global community’s commitment to peace, security, and human rights. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, escalated tensions around the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and rising tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan have confirmed for many people the well-known notion of “might makes right.” This approach legitimizes the inevitability of violence and “the right of the strongest” while casting doubt on the possibility of peaceful conflict resolution.

However, at Peace Dialogue, we believe that peaceful and democratic societies are possible, and we remain committed to our mission of fostering the protection of human rights, promoting multi-layered dialogue, and building democracy and democratic institutions in conflict-affected and post-conflict societies, both locally and internationally.

In this review, we showcase our accomplishments, challenges, and progress, highlighting the impact of our projects and initiatives on the communities we serve. Our report highlights the impact of our work in empowering civil society actors, protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, promoting transparency and accountability, advancing gender equality and women’s rights, and supporting civic initiatives.

We would like to express our gratitude for your continued support as we work towards building peaceful and democratic societies where justice and the rule of law prevail. Thank you for joining us on this journey towards a brighter future.

See full publication under the link below:  PEACE DIALOGUE: ANNUAL REVIEW | 2021 – 2022 (pdf, 4 Mb)

 

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This publication has been produced with financial support from the Sigrid Rausing Trust

 

 

 

 

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