The second phase of YMCA Europe Roots for Reconciliation project started in 2012 and is due to be completed by the end of current year. During 4 years of the implementation period, it involved hundreds of young people from all over Europe and other parts of the globe in various thematic seminars, festivals, exchange and study visits and conferences.
October 20-26, 2015 – Yerevan, Armenia was the hosting city of the Roots for Reconciliation Outcome Evaluation and Impact Assessment Workshop. It brought together YMCA Europe Staff members and the representative delegations from YMCAs of Georgia, Armenia & Nagorno Karabakh. Overall, around 50 participants were involved in various activities within the workshop.
The program was divided in several modules: during the first half of the day, the participants had the opportunity to learn about the outcomes of the externally facilitated (conducted by Bill Sterland; Framework, UK) Outcome Evaluation of Roots for Reconciliation´s second phase, as well as the Impact Assessment of the first phase of the project – primarily targeting the campsites that were constructed within the framework of the Roots for Reconciliation. The process was also facilitated by the invited expert and consultant Peter Crory, former Secretary General of YMCA Scotland
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The results of the evaluations were largely positive, with valuable feedback, recommendations and suggestions to the leadership of the programme and everyone involved. The Secretary General of YMCA Europe, Juan Simoes Iglesias delivered a specific session, introducing the present leadership of YMCAs of Armenia, Georgia and Nagorno Karabakh with the consultation process for YMCA Europe´s Strategic Plan (2016-2020), including feedback received since the General Assembly held last May in Tallinn, Estonia.
YMCA Europe Executive Secretary and Project Manager of Roots for Reconciliation, Vardan Hambardzumyan held a session about the future plans and prospects within the third phase of Roots for Reconciliation project – the proposal is currently submitted & pending for approval from donor, Bread for the World, Germany.
Within the Workshop framework, the participants had the opportunity to visit Saint Echmiadzin, the seat of Armenian Apostolic Church and to meet the Chairman of Armenian Round Table Foundation, Mr. Karen Nazaryan – discussing current issues affecting the global community and exploring possible areas of intervention and cooperation in peacework and reconciliation.
A very memorable and symbolic action also took place : planting the YMCA tree at the Memorial of the Armenian Genocide. 2015 is the year of commemoration of the pain of Armenian Nation – terrible tragedy that happened 100 years ago. We, as YMCA, a movement that stands for peace and reconciliation across the globe – should strive and contribute so that such tragedies will not happen… Never again!
Event photo album
