In March 2025, a group of youth workers from across Europe gathered in Yerevan, Armenia for an Erasmus+ training called “The Art of Dialogue as a Tool for Youth Workers.” This international course focused on the power of communication as a tool for peacebuilding, especially in communities affected by conflict or division. Participants learned how to use dialogue as a method to support young people, reduce tension, and promote empathy. The training included both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in areas like conflict resolution, mediation, active listening, and storytelling. For a youth worker from Hungary representing Kreatív Ifjúsági Akadémia Magyarország, the experience brought new understanding, inspiration, and a fresh vision for supporting youth in their local community.
Before the training, many challenges were already visible in Hungary. Although the country was not in a state of war, young people were often surrounded by silent conflicts. Political polarization, cultural misunderstandings, and economic insecurity created invisible barriers between groups. In schools and communities, students from different ethnic or social backgrounds sometimes felt disconnected from one another. Teachers and youth workers tried to help, but the tools they had were not always enough. Many young people lacked a space to talk openly about their worries, their identities, and their ideas for the future. In this atmosphere, dialogue was needed—not just as a way to talk, but as a way to listen and grow together.
The training in Yerevan offered exactly this: a place to explore dialogue as a practice of peace. From the first day, participants were invited to reflect deeply—not only on how to speak, but on how to listen. One of the most powerful parts of the training was a workshop on active listening, where youth workers practiced giving full attention to others without interrupting or judging. This small shift in behavior had a big emotional effect. Participants shared stories of conflict from their countries, and through patient listening, they discovered how much they had in common. It was clear that dialogue is not only about solving problems, but also about building understanding between people who may never have spoken before.
The program also introduced storytelling as a peacebuilding tool. Everyone was invited to share a short personal story that showed a moment of misunderstanding, conflict, or change. Through these stories, participants connected with one another on a human level. Stories from the Roma community in Hungary, the Syrian refugee experience in Germany, or the post-war reality in the Balkans all found space in the same circle. These stories helped youth workers understand the emotional weight many young people carry. They also showed how a safe space for sharing can help young people build resilience and confidence.
A visit to a local youth center in Yerevan was another eye-opening moment. There, young volunteers led programs for children affected by past conflicts in the region. The center used art, dance, and discussion circles to create a peaceful atmosphere where young people could process their emotions and feel accepted. The Hungarian participant saw how creative methods and simple routines could help build a strong sense of belonging. It became clear that peacebuilding does not require large budgets or complex systems—it starts with people and relationships.
When the youth worker returned to Hungary, they felt ready to take action. With support from Kreatív Ifjúsági Akadémia Magyarország, they created a new local project called “Peace Talks.” The aim was to bring together young people from different communities—urban and rural, Hungarian and Roma, locals and migrants—to engage in regular dialogue sessions. The format was simple but meaningful. Each meeting focused on one topic, such as identity, trust, or community. Trained facilitators helped guide the sessions, using storytelling, role-play, and open questions to start conversations. The project took place in youth centers, schools, and even parks, so that it felt natural and welcoming.
The goal of “Peace Talks” was not to teach young people what to think, but to show them how to express themselves and respect others. Many participants said it was their first time speaking in a group where no one judged them. Some shared stories about discrimination, bullying, or feeling like outsiders. Others talked about their dreams, frustrations, or fears. The sessions did not always end in agreement, but they always ended in better understanding. Over time, the young people involved started to show more empathy, more patience, and more courage to speak up in other parts of their lives.
The impact of “Peace Talks” began to spread. Teachers noticed positive changes in classroom discussions. Parents appreciated that their children had a space to explore emotions and ideas. Youth workers who observed the sessions asked for training to use the same methods. In one town, a group of participants even created a small theatre play about peacebuilding, which they performed in front of their school. In another, a Roma girl who had once been too shy to speak became a co-facilitator and helped lead a dialogue session at a youth camp. These moments showed that the training in Yerevan had planted seeds of change that could grow far beyond one project.
The work also reached decision-makers. The NGO was invited to share the “Peace Talks” concept at a local education forum, where schools and municipalities discussed how to better support youth well-being. This opened a new space for dialogue between youth workers, teachers, and local leaders. The Hungarian youth worker felt proud to show that young people are not only the future—they are already active builders of peace in the present.
Looking forward, Kreatív Ifjúsági Akadémia Magyarország plans to expand the “Peace Talks” model to more regions and train a new group of facilitators. They also want to connect with youth organizations in other countries who joined the training in Armenia. Online exchanges, shared storytelling events, and regional youth peace forums are now part of the long-term plan.
The experience of joining the Erasmus+ training in Yerevan changed not only one youth worker, but also the way a whole community thinks about peace. It showed that dialogue is not something abstract or idealistic. It is a daily practice, made of small choices and honest words. It starts in youth centers, schools, and parks. It grows when people feel heard, respected, and included. And it becomes strong when youth are given the tools and the trust to lead the way.
In a world where conflict often makes headlines, there is deep power in quiet conversations. Young people across Hungary and Europe are ready to listen, to speak, and to act. With the right support and inspiration, they can build bridges across differences and become the leaders of a more peaceful tomorrow. The path is long, but the journey has already begun—one dialogue at a time.