YMCA Generation Next Summer School of 2026 took place in Dresden, Germany from August 22 to 24 through cooperation with YMCA Germany, Frauenkirche Dresden Foundation, HP and Microsoft. The three-day event brought together 20 Generation Next Scholarship recipients from Armenia and Georgia to provide an opportunity to connect, exchange experience, reflect on the program and gain new skills and perspectives.
The summer school curriculum was dedicated to sessions on AI. As future leaders, learning how artificial intelligence can enhance both their professional workflows and their civic engagement efforts was an invaluable experience.
Participants engaged with experts, including Data Science and AI Business Development Manager at HP Horst Karlsberg, Head of Regulatory Policy at Microsoft Rebekka Weiss, and Dr. Markus Schwertel on advocacy and digital equity to explore the intersection of technology and society. By linking digital skills with active citizenship, the program challenged attendees to critically assess tech governance, responsible use, and societal impact. This reflects the core of the HP, Microsoft and YMCA partnership.
“While I already had sufficient information on AI due to my major in computer science, learning specific examples and practical applications from experts was very useful,” commented Gor Arzanyan, one of the Generation Next Scholarship Holders from Armenia.
The summer school concluded with an open event on the Ethics in Artificial Intelligence which involved a panel discussion with the aforementioned experts Rebella Weiss and Markus Schwertel, as well as YMCA Europe Advocacy Officer Dragos Tarta and CVJM Deutschland Secretary General Hansjörg Kopp.
The last day of the summer school was also attended by Ulrike Küstner and Beate Schreiber representing Brot für die Welt, the generous donor organization whose multi-year partnership makes the Generation Next Scholarship possible.
At the closing ceremony participants reflected on their experience followed by YMCA Europe Executive Secretary Vardan Hambardzumyan presenting tokens of appreciation and acknowledgement to partners who had made the summer school possible, including a Roots Peace Medal to Andreas Dieterich, Officer for Peace and Reconciliation Work at Frauenkirche Dresden Foundation and CVJM Deutschland Secretary General Hansjörg Kopp. An embroidered carpet in the shape of a cross and handmade by Artsakh artisans was also specially presented to Frauenkirche leaving a symbolic mark on the cooperation.
The summer school was a remarkable experience for students and organizers alike witnessing the growth and development of each scholarship holder who will carry the values and skills of their YMCA experience long after graduating the program.
