“What does it mean to be a leader of peace in our time?”
Sona Hakobyan, a participant in the “Professional Media, Practitioners and Grassroots Joining Forces for Dialogue” program and the winner of the individual competition held within the framework of the program, decided to search for the answer together with young people themselves.
She is the financial officer of programs at Armenian Caritas and a graduate of the 12th Autumn School titled “Mediation as an Alternative Means of Conflict Resolution.”
Sona announced an essay competition that was more than just a writing assignment. It became a platform for developing critical thinking and building a network of active young people interested in peacebuilding.
What did we achieve as a result?
-20 sincere stories. The participants shared their personal perspectives on peaceful communication.
-11 best essays. The jury selected the works that stood out for their fresh ideas and unique style.
-Without borders. Young people joined the competition not only from Yerevan, but also from remote communities, ensuring diverse and distinctive perspectives.
The best works are already available on social media and have received significant attention.
“For me, the most important achievement was that some participants began to view their role in society differently. They learned to communicate more consciously and find constructive solutions in conflicts. This is my small but courageous step toward spreading the idea of peacebuilding among young people,” says Sona Hakobyan.
The best essays can be found here.
This initiative was made possible within the framework of the “Professional Media, Practitioners and Grassroots Joining Forces for Dialogue” project, implemented by the Public Journalism Club with financial support from the European Commission.
The project partner is International Alert.
