Being an organizer and a participant in the training sessions in Baku, Azerbaijan was an incredibly interesting and enriching experience for me. As a Secretary of International Relations and Programme, I was responsible for overseeing the organization and implementation of the sessions, which brought together the participants from Azerbaijan, Germany, and Georgia. Throughout the program, we explored different aspects of peace education and learned new tools and methodologies to promote peaceful resolution of conflicts. Here’s a closer look at my insights and reflections on this experience:

Overall Experience

The training sessions were well-organized, since we engaged a qualified trainer with both national and international level experience Nurana Mammadova. The participants were actively involved in group discussions and hands-on activities, making the sessions interactive and informative. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, which made it easy to connect with other participants and learn from their experiences.

Lessons on Peace Education

The training sessions provided valuable insights into the principles and practices of peace education. We examined different models of conflict resolution and explored various tools like Lifeline, Power of Quotation, Envelope, and Forum Theatres. Through the Lifeline session, we shared our personal experiences of conflict and discussed how we found peaceful resolutions. Walking through an exhibit of quotes about peace and writing our own quotes taught us the power of language and how we can use it to promote peace.

Surprising Aspect of the Sessions

The most surprising aspect of the training sessions was the effectiveness of the different methodologies in promoting peace. The Forum Theatre activity, for example, allowed us to enact different scenarios and explore various approaches to conflict resolution. This exercise helped us understand the perspectives of different parties and develop empathy towards others.

Interaction with Other Participating Countries

Interacting with participants from Germany and Georgia was an eye-opening experience. We learned about their cultures, customs, and practices, which helped us understand the similarities and differences in our approaches to peace education. Through this interaction, we were able to broaden our perspectives and develop a more nuanced understanding of conflict resolution. Also, after the training sessions we had the opportunity to walk around the city and take the participants to the traditional restaurants in which they explore the national dishes of Azerbaijan. 

Future Initiatives

The training sessions have equipped me with the knowledge and tools to promote peace education in my community. I plan to use the methodologies I learned to organize workshops and events that foster peaceful coexistence and promote conflict resolution. I am confident that this experience will help me make a positive impact on my community.

Message about Peace

In a world that is increasingly divided and polarized, it is essential to promote peace education and conflict resolution. Through the training sessions in Baku, I learned that promoting peace is not just about resolving conflicts but also about building relationships and promoting understanding between different communities. My message about peace is that it is achievable if we work together and embrace our differences. Let us all work towards building a peaceful and harmonious world.

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a peace education training program in Baku, Azerbaijan. The training was organized by the National Assembly of Youth Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (NAYORA) and brought together participants from Germany, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. The program was designed to provide an in-depth understanding of peace education and explore the different ways it can be implemented in different settings.

Overall, my experience of the training sessions in Baku was fantastic. The training was informative, interesting, and interactive. I can tell that I learned a lot about peace education and its significance in society, the differences between peacekeeper, peacemaker, and peacebuilder words. The workshops that happened through the Baku session were very informative, and the speakers were experienced professionals with deep insights into the subject matter.

What Did I Learn about Peace Education?

The program covered a broad range of topics on peace education, including its definition, objectives, and strategies for implementation. I learned that peace education is a process that seeks to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to create a culture of peace in society. It aims to address the root causes of conflict and violence, promote social justice, and build a sustainable peace. Moreover, peace education can be applied in a variety of settings, including schools, universities, community organizations, and non-governmental organizations.

In addition to this, I discovered that peace education takes different forms, such as curriculum development, teacher training, peacebuilding activities, and research. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, dialogue, and active participation in the peacebuilding process. Lastly, peace education is a lifelong learning process that requires the participation and commitment of individuals, institutions, and societies as a whole.

What Surprised Me about the Sessions?

The exhibition of words about peace surprised me the most. At the exhibition, all of the participants described their views on peace in one sentence, and it was lovely. This exhibition of words was a unique way to encourage participants to share their perspectives on peace, and it allowed us to explore different cultural perspectives on the topic.

My Interaction with Other Participating Countries

During the training, I had the opportunity to interact with participants from Germany and Georgia. I found the interaction to be a learning experience, as the participants were highly motivated and very active. What surprised me the most was that the participants explained the conflicts their states and nations had, and also shared their views about the conflicts of other countries. I learned a lot from the participants, and it was an enriching experience.

How Will This Experience Affect My Future Initiatives?

As a Ph.D. student in the field of international relations and a youth worker, I am committed to sharing the knowledge and experience that I gained during the peace education training program in Baku. I am planning to implement some events related to peace education and conflict management, and I will do my best to be a multiplier, sharing the information with others to create a broader impact.

My Message About Peace

In conclusion, peace is a vital and essential component for the well-being and progress of human society. It is not just the absence of war, but it encompasses social, economic, and political stability, human rights, and sustainable development. Achieving peace requires effort and commitment from everyone, from individuals to governments, and it involves promoting understanding, dialogue, and cooperation.

It also requires addressing the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, inequality, injustice, and discrimination. Only through peace can humanity fully thrive and reach its potential. So, let us strive towards building a world that values peace, justice, and equity for all.

By Nazrin Suleymanova, Young European Ambassador, volunteer, and the Azerbaijani participant of the “Remember to Act: Understand – Learn – Act” project

My participation in the peace education activities in Baku was a very educational, fascinating, and memorable experience. Since it was my first time taking part in an offline international project, I learned a lot of new things, including breaking some stereotypes and exchanging ideas with foreigners. I also discussed topics from various perspectives and learned a lot about new cultures. I broadened my horizons and understanding of peace, realized the value of peace education, and learned why it is important to uphold values like trust, empathy, and cooperation with others. During this time, I also expanded my knowledge of project planning and implementation techniques.

What Did I Learn about Peace Education?

One of the most crucial things I discovered was the onion model, which helped me to realize that fewer pointless conflicts would arise if parties could recognize the differences between their needs, interests, and positions. Additionally, I learned a lot from the ABC Triangle model, in which the trainer explained the differences between visible and invisible conflicts and how they affect our daily lives. I was aware that other conflict types would diminish if cultural conflict decreased and our beliefs about certain things changed. The game „Win as much as you can“ was the most intriguing to me because it helped me learn to look at the big picture rather than just one aspect. I learned the value of a cooperative approach to resolving disputes and promoting peace.

What Surprised Me about the Sessions?

I was genuinely surprised during the „Win as much as you can“ game and the one in which we attempted to win our opponent over by employing various strategies. Why? For instance, I observed how my „I must win“ attitude changed in the „Win as much as you can“ game with collaboration and compromising strategy as a result of regular discussions with other groups. And I discovered that making compromises occasionally doesn’t always mean losing and taking the easy way out, but rather demonstrating strong values of cooperation and mutual trust. In a different game, I made my opponent some tempting offers to convince her to join my team. Up until the trainer explained the game, I believed I was competing, but since my offers also benefited the opposing team, it was really a collaboration. Thus, discovering Thomas Killman’s four main strategies was a different learning experience for me.

My Interaction with Other Participating Countries

I talked to participants from other nations during games, coffee breaks, and after trainings. I learned a lot from them as we exchanged opinions and knowledge. I broadened my perspectives in terms of cultures, connected with people on a variety of topics, and had interesting conversations. During those five days, I appreciated the opportunity to make new friends and learn from their experiences.

How Will This Experience Affect My Future Initiatives?

I am sure I will continue my education of peace in the near future, and also share what I learned during this session. I will always try to prefer a collaborative approach to disputes and conflicts and promote trust, empathy, friendship, and mutual understanding in my society. I am also planning to write some blogs about each session I participated in and make other people also learn about peace education. 

My Message About Peace

“When there is peace there is harmony and it is the only way to go forward to your goals in this life.” This is a quote that I came up with during the closing session of the quote gallery. I really enjoyed it when we, the participants, read famous quotes one at a time and then discussed them together. I felt very motivated and inspired. In general, I believe that peace is the only real path to happiness and the best course for the future. As members of the human race, we must constantly uphold the values of peace and develop corresponding abilities, such as active listening, self-assurance, sound judgment, and effective leadership. I firmly believe that the ideology of total peace will prevail in the world one day if we members of communities work on it.