True leadership and a commitment to peace are not measured when times are easy. They are forged and proven when the world falls apart. For those of us who have walked the long path of peacebuilding in Europe, David Melkumyan from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) stands as a profound testament to resilience and courage.

Our shared journey began at the very roots of our peace work, when we launched the Roots for Reconciliation project (now known as the Roots for Peace). From those early days, it was clear that David possessed a rare dedication to empowering youth and fostering dialogue in a region constantly overshadowed by conflict.

And even before that, David’s life work has always been intertwined with the YMCA movement. Since 2004, he has served as the founding coordinator of YMCA Artsakh. Even as his leadership qualities naturally led him into the political sphere where he became a Member of Parliament, he never abandoned his grassroots mission, continuously serving as the President of YMCA Artsakh. 

Following the devastating wars imposed by Azerbaijan within the 2020 – 2023 period, the indigenous ethnic Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh faced an existential crisis, ultimately culminating in the total, forced displacement of the population from their ancestral homeland. And this is when David once again displayed his true heart and character: acting as one of the official negotiators, he was instrumental to secure safe passage for the civilian population. His efforts directly saved thousands of lives from potential massacres, ensuring families could escape the blockaded region safely.

David left Nagorno-Karabakh one of the last, leaving behind his own home, his belongings and a lifetime of memories to ensure that his people crossed the border first…

Today, David is a refugee in Armenia, but his spirit remains unbroken. He immediately channeled his grief into action, devoting all his time, energy and effort back into the YMCA.

Under his leadership and with the vital support of the YMCA Europe Roots Artsakh Exodus Response Initiative alongside a dedicated network of local and international friends and donors, a remarkable transformation has taken place:

• Official Registration: YMCA Artsakh has been officially reregistered as a local association operating within Armenia.
• The YMCA Hub: David has successfully established a safe space where war-affected young people can gather, heal, preserve their community identity and grow together.

David Melkumyan is the very definition of an unbroken leader and a dedicated peacemaker. So it was our honor and privilege to award the Roots Award to him.. It is the least we could do…

The award received the official endorsement of the YMCA Europe Executive Committee. The actual ceremony took place on May the 16th at the YMCA Europe General Assembly in Malta. The President of YMCA Europe Emma Osmundsen formally handed over the prestigious award. Following with an introduction of the Roots Peace Award by YMCA Europe Executive Secretary Vardan Hambardzumyan, who then highlighted David’s exceptional dedication to peacebuilding and the profound impact of his service to the YMCA, inspiring the entire General Assembly to erupt into a heartfelt standing ovation.