ICDT was invited by the Council of Europe to present its work as an example of good practice at the special training program ’Youth Peace Ambassadors.’ The Youth Peace Ambassadors project promotes and supports the role of young people in peace-building activities that contribute to living together in dignity and dialogue. Central to the project are the concepts of human rights, peace and “deep security”, understood as long-term and deep-rooted processes ensuring equality in dignity for all, fostering intercultural dialogue, and providing real access to and participation in the democratic process in Europe. The project is inspired by the achievements and standards of the Council of Europe in the field of the protection and promotion of human rights, intercultural dialogue and democracy, and particularly those related to youth policy in Europe and to the reaffirming young people’s role as active citizens and protagonists of social change.

On the final day of the seminar, June 24th, ICDT was invited to share with the participants the lessons from its own work in post-conflict and conflict-affected environments. ICDT colleague Maja Nenadovic presented the main principles of the Centre’s work in such complex environments (stressing neutrality, listening, managing expectations, fostering interregional cooperation and dialogue, etc.). Together with the participants, the ICDT trainer explored and deconstructed the meaning behind the loaded terms such as ‘identity’ and ‘reconciliation.’ Led by ICDT’s examples of good practices of work throughout the Western Balkans with stakeholders from different, formerly warring ethnic groups, Council of Europe’s Youth Peace Ambassadors concluded the workshop by identifying the principles that are to guide their work upon returning to their home countries.

1 July 2011