Subscribe to RSS | Advertise with us

ROOTS
  • ABOUT
    • OUR PROJECT
    • NEWS
    • QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS
    • DONORS
    • BLOGS
  • OUR COHORT
    • OUR STAFF
    • OUR TEAM
    • OUR EXTERNAL EXPERTS
    • OUR PEACE WORK INSTITUTE ALUMNI
  • OUR ACTIVITY
    • PEACE WORK INSTITUTE
    • PEACE PROGRAMME FESTIVALS
    • LOCAL CAPACITIES FOR PEACE AWARD
  • OUR LEGACY
    • ROOTS FOR RECONCILIATION 2016 – 2019
    • ROOTS FOR RECONCILIATION 2012 -2015
    • ROOTS FOR RECONCILIATION 2007 -2010
  • OUR KNOW-HOW
    • PEACEWORK GUIDEBOOK
    • DO NO HARM IN BRIEF
  • DONATE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
    • OUR PROJECT
    • NEWS
    • QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS
    • DONORS
    • BLOGS
  • OUR COHORT
    • OUR STAFF
    • OUR TEAM
    • OUR EXTERNAL EXPERTS
    • OUR PEACE WORK INSTITUTE ALUMNI
  • OUR ACTIVITY
    • PEACE WORK INSTITUTE
    • PEACE PROGRAMME FESTIVALS
    • LOCAL CAPACITIES FOR PEACE AWARD
  • OUR LEGACY
    • ROOTS FOR RECONCILIATION 2016 – 2019
    • ROOTS FOR RECONCILIATION 2012 -2015
    • ROOTS FOR RECONCILIATION 2007 -2010
  • OUR KNOW-HOW
    • PEACEWORK GUIDEBOOK
    • DO NO HARM IN BRIEF
  • DONATE
  • CONTACT
In News

BRIDGES FOR THE FUTURE

photo-06-09-14-20-57-03

The idea for the “Bridges for the future” project was designed by graduates from previous `YMCA Europe Roots for Reconciliation` Peace Work Institute events (Istanbul, Yerevan, Prague, Strasbourg). The only way to shed the “Balkans melting pot” reference is to dispel myths and start at a grass roots level with the youth. The added value of doing this on an International level is for young people from post conflict areas to realize they are not alone, to provide a greater support network and also to share responsibility for the common fate of Europe.

Using an innovative new format, the “Bridges for the Future” Seminar pushed participants to work as creative production studios where they were expected to simulate a professional creative process by pitching their project idea, establishing a workflow plan, writing out a creative brief and creating other deliverables during the course of the week. The following article was presented during the project by one of the “interest groups” called “Arrow Productions”.

They are staying in the region with history plagued with conflicts and wars among each other during past decades. But first, look at the group of young leaders, sipping coffee and checking their smart during a break and you wouldn’t differentiate between them would you?

Throughout the week (6th to 11th September) the young people have had an intense program laced with expert lectures on media management and communication. Other meetings and discussions relating to complex topics such as religion, co-existence and diversity have provided rich learning for all the participants. Above the experience has provided opportunities to meet with other young people and make friends from around the World.

“We have to keep together, promote peace and teach other people how YMCA does this. Balkan young people don’t know what real peace is, they are lost about it, they lose hope – we need to remind them that Peace means hope, love and people working together,” Christina from Cyprus said. Once she returns home, she intends to teach how easy peace can be reached – and spread more knowledge of the YMCA.

Katarina from Macedonia added “I have learned about different cultures and how other people live. All young people from the region are essentially the same, and their cultures are very similar – more than we actually realize,” Concluding she said “I am happy to get to network and expand my contacts around the world and now I have a platform for future work.”

It was only several years ago that Kosovo was in the middle of a war for independence with Serbia; a few years further back in the 90’s devastating wars between several Balkan countries took thousands of lives. Tensions and occasional displays of violence are still present in some participating countries. It is without doubt many of the young people attending the seminar have been directly impacted by the Wars in the Region. With that in mind it has made the seminar a real challenge and has enriched the learning experience for all of the participants.

Kosovo Seminar Day 5-04_15038958448_l

The YMCA organizers have handled this challenge with great skill and professionalism ensuring that all participants remain comfortable discussing difficult issues in a safe environment. The seminar has included morning sessions with powerful messages of peace and understanding and the days continued with lively discussions on peace building both in theory and in practice, including input from participants (young activists/leaders) who shared their personal experiences.

Several dedicated time slots were also allocated for participants to learn about social media and groups of participants then undertook a media project to promote a message of Peace. Working together the participants took on various roles and responsibilities and they then worked together to produce their message, some used video and others used pictures, commenting Martina from “Arrow Productions” said “the home groups were a great opportunity for the participants to learn new skills in media production and communication. It was an effective method of team building and cohesion allowing young leaders from several countries to work towards a common goal”.

Having seen the disasters of wars and conflicts, the young people instead of giving in to despair, feel the future is in their hands and they can make a big change in their home countries. With seminars like this they have had the chance not only to make personal friendships but have also learned from each other.

On concluding the week the young leaders have clearly developed a renewed sense of hope and passion with their eyes fixed on changing their present and shaping their future.

ROOTS | Bridges for the future

Previous StoryYMCA Europe Peace Work Institute III Strasbourg
Next StoryEXCHANGE VISIT TO ISTANBUL

Related Articles

  • tamar.sargsyan1
    Tamar Sargsyan - Glimpse of Real War
  • quarterly 4 – 2020 cover
    The Fourth Roots Quarterly is Issued

Leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

ROOTS for me is…

https://youtu.be/JYhK_o3U4wo

Be the PEACE you want

https://youtu.be/DWrFZQYKGIY

Art4Peace

https://youtu.be/3-QH_ZjsEos

Be a piece of PEACE

https://youtu.be/tsiLQZbJ2Mo

Music for PEACE – Way of life

https://youtu.be/-uO4W_qYdCA

Peace Work Institute – First cohort

https://youtu.be/QU1m6g5viZA

Latest Posts

  • tamar.sargsyan1
    Tamar Sargsyan – Glimpse of Real War
  • quarterly 4 – 2020 cover
    The Fourth Roots Quarterly is Issued
  • Srbuhi Balayan cover
    Srbuhi Balayan – Glimpse of Real War
  • cover lika article
    Lika Zakaryan – Let the piano play again!
  • cover Q3
    The Third Roots Quarterly is Issued
  • cover videos roof (Medium)
    Roots making a difference!
  • be a voice 25 sept 1
    “Be a Voice, not an Echo” Study Session Planning Team Online Meeting
  • krisiti 2
    We all carry Peace in our hearts… And some of us take it to Expertise level!
  • cover peace week 2020
    International Day of Peace
  • andy web
    We all carry Peace in our hearts… And some of us take it to Expertise level!

OUR IMPACT

  • BLOG
  • GALLERY
  • MAKE A DONATION
  • PRIVACY AND COOKIES

ABOUT YMCA

  • YMCA EUROPE
  • WORLD YMCA
  • LINKS
  • NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE

MISSION

Roots for Peace is a YMCA Europe initiative for stronger youth activism towards peaceful transformation of conflicts in Europe.
Roots for Peace
All rights reserved © YMCA Europe