Since its inception in 2012 and with two cohorts (2012-2014, 2014-2019) of participants that passed through it, the Roots Peace Work Institute (PWI) sought to enroll young leaders of different backgrounds from across Europe, young people who were and are a voice and not an echo – eager to learn, to try, to grow… Like raw diamonds to shine after the grind.
And we believe that most of these 46 Alumni managed to develop both personally and professionally as they journeyed through PWI.
Today we share with you the story of Nataliia Vainilovych, a talented young leader from Ukraine.
Nataliia is engaged in participatory playback theatre. This type of art is very unique because it is about the people and their own stories. As Nataliia puts it, this way we can see people and maybe look at them from a different angle, understand from someone else’s experience how to live, make plans, how to help people live without conflicts.
Nataliia joined Roots in 2017. After the program, she participated in the Conflict Transformation Academy, which was organized by a German organization. The program was about peacebuilding, where she continued to study the theory of peace and how to design programs with international groups.
“Roots was a good motivator for me, it aroused interest in peacebuilding. During the project I gained a lot of experience in the field, I made a small handbook where I kept records of practices and activities used within Roots. It was a very good experience for me. After that, I felt very happy when I helped Roots to organize a street performance in Toledo.
Roots encouraged me to work on projects, to explain how important human interactions and alumni meetings are․․․ It was a place of growth for me and a great tool to re-evaluate my work. Maybe I would like to be part of an art group in the future. At the moment I am not very active in the Roots because I do not have the resources, but I still have that fire inside me,” says Nataliia.
Nataliia made a great contribution to Toledo PWI Alumni Reunion. Within a few hours and together with her team, they succeeded to “build” a theater. According to Nataliia, there are many cognitive components in Roots – thinking, but the theater introduced a series of actions. The most pleasant thing for her was that people responded and started organizing the event with her.
“The reunion was the best moment for me in Roots. After a while you meet people with whom you have been friends and shared important things, those you loved and respected… And here they come – one is married, another has changed a bit or has a child․․․
Another bright moment was our Toledo quest, the beautiful city tours․․․ I remember our games, our thinking, sometimes they wake up in my memory and warmth arises inside me․․․
I can’t forget the interviews when the whole group was divided into two parts, where one group was interviewing the other group. It was very strong, we were able to get to know each other for real. I would very much like to have more of such things.
For me, Roots is communication, interconnections, rethinking․․․
Nataliia says that she would definitely recommend other people to participate in the program. For those who want to understand what peacebuilding is, this is an ideal platform.
“Only if they realize their motivation, how it will be used and developed later with their participation in the local YMCA”, Nataliia says.
Since 2007 and ever growing, from the South to the North, from the East to the West of Europe – the Roots has always been there for those striving to make this world a better and safer place, a peaceful home for all. We go where the need is, responding quickly to the emerging issues with the legacy and mandate, capacity and adaptability gained for all these years.
By donating to the Roots, you invest in youth opinion leaders from all corners of Europe – varied by age, ethnicity, religion, race or wealth, but united with one strong conviction – Peace is the only way!
