YMCA Europe’s Roots for Peace and German NGO “Dialogue for Understanding” continued cooperation to expand the Roots methodology, promote service to local communities and building a peaceful future. In April and early May 2023, the newly prepared multipliers – graduates of the courses held in 2022 in Yerevan (Armenia), worked as trainers at two sessions in the North Caucasus region of Russia. The sessions focused on such relevant aspects as “empathy as a key factor in doctor-patient relations” and “strengthening of the institute of family” and were fully based on the Roots methodology “Do No Harm”.
The Roots supervising experts at these sessions (YMCA Russia’s General Secretary Alexey Kostyakov and office manager Anastasia Tsygankova) could witness universalism and multi-aspect character of the Do No Harm concept: it lies is the core of reaching the effectiveness of the projects and growth of leaders. By making for a growing mutual respect, effective communication that involves both sides, and multicultural connections, Do No Harm builds the solid foundation for dialogue and peace.
The Roots experts also noted good quality of preparation and implementation stages of the projects, selection of comfortable venues (a Medical College and a Coworking Centre “Boiling Point” at a local University). The way the team of mentors and multipliers built the training showed that a) they brought out the core values and understanding of DNH methodology from our sessions in 2022; b) they came up with another multilateral theme (Empathy) – which can serve as an indicator of relevance/competence/success not only in medical sphere (doctor-patient) relations, but in every family’s life and many other personal and work situations and trends.
The Roots team is confident that we have helped to build a cell of dedicated and talented youth leaders and their mentors, who are willing to further promote healthy communities, peaceful intercultural exchange and recruit new multipliers of Do No Harm methodology in the North Caucasus region. YMCA Russia will keep in contact with this team and hopes to implement new joint projects in the future.
