YMCA Europe continues spreading the methodology of Do No Harm (DNH) via Roots for Peace, which helps to extend the circle of friends and partners who work to promote peace and cooperation.

On October 24-29 Yerevan, Armenia the Roots experts provided training for multipliers – activists of a German NGO Dialogue for Understanding (D4U) which works for intercultural cooperation and exchange, and its partners. The planning meeting of this event took place in Yerevan earlier this year, in June.

Five working days of the session were filled with theoretical presentations and practical activities that helped to understand and apply the DNH approach in people’s personal life and professional projects. Using the Do No Harm methodology, the multipliers created a clear concept of their projects, which is easy to adapt in different contexts and situations.

Vardan Hambardzumyan (YMCA Europe Roots for Peace), Lika Zakaryan (YMCA Europe Roots for Peace) and Haykuhi Karapetyan from Armenia, Alexei Kostyakov and Anastasia Tsygankova from YMCA Russia presented the Do No Harm concept through learning-by-doing approach, SWOT analysis, project planning matrix and other elements of the Roots Peacework Guidebook. The session also featured such traditional YMCA program blocks as energizers, team-building games, devotions, and work in small groups.

At this event, the Roots team also officially presented the Russian version of the Peace Work Guidebook, which was translated by Roots for Peace staff and participants and financed by Bread for the World.

The Roots team will also continue consulting the D4U partners on various aspects of using the Do No Harm methodology and serve as mentors at the stage of holding a regional training session and projects by D4U multipliers.