The latest activity of the YMCA Europe Roots for Peace project at Peace Work Institute Session in Dresden on October 27 – November 02, 2025 was a significant milestone, bringing together participants from 11 countries on a journey focused on conflict resolution, peace-building and reconciliation. The session was marked by high-level engagement, insightful modules and exceptional local hospitality, setting a powerful direction for the future of the initiative.
The session received a powerful endorsement from global and European YMCA leadership. World YMCA Secretary General Carlos Sanvee and YMCA Europe Secretary General Juan Simoes Iglesias were both present, offering words of encouragement and greeting participants on this crucial peace-building journey. Their presence highlighted the international significance and commitment to the “Roots for Peace” project.
The theoretical foundation of the training was expertly delivered by Wolfgang Heinrich, who led modules that provided essential frameworks for understanding conflict and peace:
Understanding Conflict: Equipping participants with tools to analyze the dynamics of various conflict situations.
Seven Lessons of Do No Harm: Focusing on the critical importance of ensuring that humanitarian and development aid does not involuntarily worsen existing conflicts.
What Do We Know about Peace Work: Consolidating knowledge and best practices in the field of reconciliation and peace-building.
Rezi Shavladze played a central role throughout the Dresden session. He was instrumental in presenting the overall Roots project and laying out the Roots Roadmap, clearly articulating the initiative’s vision and mission. He also took charge of setting up and managing the Home Group Sessions, ensuring a deep level of personal engagement and reflection among participants. His involvement in the evaluation session and overall smooth functioning of the session was key to its success.
Enhancing the practical application of peace work, Lika Zakharyan facilitated the “Soft Module” exercises, which focused on essential communication and empathy skills:
Active Listening: Sharpening participants’ ability to truly hear and comprehend others.
Same Story, Different Perspectives: An exercise designed to foster empathy and understanding of diverse viewpoints.
The session also utilized innovative methods like Level 5 and the Blob Tree for self-reflection and group dynamics, along with a touching evaluation method that resonated deeply with everyone involved.
Irina Berdzenishvili brought essential tools for conflict analysis and community work to the forefront, leading modules on RAFT (Responsibility, Accountability, Fairness, Transparency) and IEMs (Implicit Ethical Messages) for effective communication strategy, as well as Dividers & Connectors – a practical module on identifying elements that separate or unite conflicting sides. She also took charge of the daily production of updates on the Roots social media channels, keeping the audience informed of the session’s progress.
The success and unique atmosphere of the Dresden session would not have been possible without the exceptional hospitality of Andreas Dietrich from the Frauenkirche Foundation. He provided a guided tour of the impressive Frauenkirche cathedral, a powerful symbol of war and reconciliation; made sure that participants received full exposure to the local cuisine with dinners organized at different memorable places and just was of a constant support and a welcoming presence for all participants.
Further enriching the experience was a visit to the Military History Museum, which served as a reminder and thought-provoking opportunity to reflect on the mistakes committed in the past and the work done to rectify them. The group also visited the Dresden YMCA, gaining valuable insights into how a local organization works with its community.
There was still time for participants to explore the beautiful city of Dresden and immerse themselves in its rich cultural heritage.
Overall, the Dresden session was a great success – deepening the participants’ knowledge, strengthening their bonds and reaffirming the commitment to peace work.
And the journey continues: see you next time and soon in Tbilisi!
