The Minorities for Peace initiative is a collaborative effort that aims to foster a culture of peace and dialogue in Eastern Europe and beyond. Anchored in regions affected by the ongoing war, the project focuses on empowering minority and indigenous communities among refugees from Ukraine and exiles from the Russian Federation as active agents of peacebuilding in their communities. The project framework can be also replicated in other regional contexts.
Minorities for Peace is being implemented by the “NEVER AGAIN” Association, a human rights organisation based in Warsaw, Poland and Exult! Solutions, a peacebuilding and leadership development organisation in India. The initiative has also been supported by other collaborators in its early stages, including Rotary International through its Institute for Economics & Peace Partnership. More…
Irene M. Santiago, former Chair of the Philippine Government Implementing Panel for the Bangsamoro Peace Accord; and Chair, Mindanao Commission on Women, Speaker
A peacebuilder does two things: builds hope and builds trust. With hope, people will act, and with trust, they will act together. In my work, these two elements guide me every day. Six years ago, I helped end a 50-year violent conflict in a district of Davao in less than nine months. The key lessons were simple: have a framework, like the eight pillars of positive peace, and listen to people’s immediate needs. Addressing those needs builds trust. Peacebuilding is a process, and you must identify ‘critical yeast’—the small, often unnoticed elements or individuals that catalyze change. As John Paul Lederach says, peacebuilders connect people and decrease divisions. Work with your community, focus on connectors, not dividers, and you will build hope and trust, moving people’s agendas toward lasting peace.
Мир для моего сообщества — это покой, возможность развиваться, сохраняя уникальные черты и традиции. Это возможность сохранить аутентичную культуру и развивать национальную идентичность. Мое восприятие мира после участия в проекте не изменилось, но оно определенно укрепилось. Участие в проекте вдохновило меня на создание собственных проектов для моего сообщества.
Бериван Авдоян, представительница общины езидов, Украина
Berivan Avdoyan, Yezidi community from Ukraine
Бериван Авдоян, представительница общины езидов, Украина
Berivan Avdoyan, Yezidi community from Ukraine
Мир для моего сообщества — это покой, возможность развиваться, сохраняя уникальные черты и традиции. Это возможность сохранить аутентичную культуру и развивать национальную идентичность. Мое восприятие мира после участия в проекте не изменилось, но оно определенно укрепилось. Участие в проекте вдохновило меня на создание собственных проектов для моего сообщества.
Александра Гармажапова, основательница Фонда Свободная Бурятия
Aleksandra Garmazhapova, founder of Free Buryatia Foundation
Мир – это не только отсутствие войны, но и поддержание мирного развития и сосуществования этнических меньшинств друг с другом. Это поддержка мира и этнических меньшинств на всех уровнях. Мне очень понравился научный и конструктивный подход без бессмысленных споров. А ещё что мы, россияне и украинцы, не чувствовали себя врагами в рамках дискуссий. Мир – это уважение к выбору друг друга (каким бы он ни был) и ненасилие. После участия в проекте в моё восприятие мира добавилось понимание, что мир – это ещё и про образование. Образование, взаимоуважение и ненасилие, разумеется, взаимосвязаны. Меньшинства на своём примере могут показать, что есть толерантное общество. В небольшом сообществе этого легче достичь (при желании, разумеется). Научиться слышать и слушать друг друга. И ставить себя на место другого человека.
Тупаса улон – со ожгартэк луон гинэ ӧвӧл, со озьы ик пичи калыкъёслы ялан азинскыны но огазе улыны юрттӥськон но. Оффлайн но озьы ик онлайн лулчеберетъя но кылъя пумиськонъёс, “Меньшинства за мир” кадь бадӟым лулчебереткуспо ӵектосъёсы удмурт калыкез кыскон но туж кулэ луо. Озьы ик таӵе ӵектосъёс сярысь ивортон но пӧртэм удысъёсын удмуртъёсты огинэз кадь адскымонгес карон но кулэ луэ. (Перевод осуществил удмуртский поэт, музыкант и языковой активист Богдан Анфиногенов).
Ксения Огородникова, представительница удмуртской этнической группы
Kseniia Ogorodnikova, representative of the Udmurt community
Ксения Огородникова, представительница удмуртской этнической группы
Kseniia Ogorodnikova, representative of the Udmurt community
Тупаса улон – со ожгартэк луон гинэ ӧвӧл, со озьы ик пичи калыкъёслы ялан азинскыны но огазе улыны юрттӥськон но. Оффлайн но озьы ик онлайн лулчеберетъя но кылъя пумиськонъёс, “Меньшинства за мир” кадь бадӟым лулчебереткуспо ӵектосъёсы удмурт калыкез кыскон но туж кулэ луо. Озьы ик таӵе ӵектосъёс сярысь ивортон но пӧртэм удысъёсын удмуртъёсты огинэз кадь адскымонгес карон но кулэ луэ. (Перевод осуществил удмуртский поэт, музыкант и языковой активист Богдан Анфиногенов).
Тьян Заочная, представительница ительменского коренного меньшинства
Tjan Zaochnaya, Itelmen, an Indigenous people of Kamchatka
Мир – это справедливость, и мы работали в этом направлении, но скорее интуитивно, чем с четким пониманием нашего вклада в мир. Участие в проекте вдохновило меня, а через меня моих друзей, посвятить радиопередачу теме МИР. Нет, в ней не было о данном проекте, мы рассказали, что есть люди, напрямую говорящие, требующие мира.
Ткарвэл – тыיн ӄам тэљвэ ӽэיй әлфчакаӄ лотיԓхэнокэ,
ӄаיм тэљвэ инхт каннэнк ӄасӽ лотיԓхэноיн.
Ткарвэл – тыיн пток әӈка
Ткарвэл – тыיн мэллаӽ соњԓэс чיамзанлалаיн.
Ткарвэл – тыיн итэ музаי мэл чинаӈк нсунскичен,
Итיэ каннэнк ӄниӈ кула чיамзанлаיн каннэнк кулаיн
чיамзанлал лыԓи сунсын (Ковранский диалект ительменского языка)
I like the approach of the project of bringing individuals from different communities that have antagonistic relationships to learn about frameworks and concepts to seek ways of peaceful coexistence.
Murtala Touray, Rotary Positive Peace Activator, Speaker and Session Facilitator, UK-Gambia
Murtala Touray, Rotary Positive Peace Activator, Speaker and Session Facilitator, UK-Gambia
I like the approach of the project of bringing individuals from different communities that have antagonistic relationships to learn about frameworks and concepts to seek ways of peaceful coexistence.
“Minorities for Peace” Project Presentation, 17th Session of the United Nations Forum…
“Minorities for Peace” Initiative Presented at United Nations Forum on Minority Issues…
Warsaw, 25 September 2024 On 25 September, we hosted a workshop at…
In cooperation with Moldova for Peace, we hosted a two-day event at…
Positive Peace, Mediation and Dealing with the Past
This publication, produced in collaboration with participants of the Minorities for Peace project who represent displaced indigenous and minority communities from Eastern Europe, serves as a valuable resource in fostering a culture of peace for indigenous and minority communities, facilitators, mediators, eacebuilding organisations, and other stakeholders who work with minority communities.
Speakers and Presentations: The impact of war on minorities Mykola Homanyuk –…
Webinar: Minorities in Positive Peace, 2 September 2025 Speakers: Patricia Garcia –…
“Minorities for Peace” Project Presentation, 17th Session of the United Nations Forum…
Mykola Homanyuk is an associate professor at Kherson State University and chairperson of the Kherson branch of the Sociological Association of Ukraine. He is also a geographer and theatre-maker. Since 2022, he has been a member of the Prisma Ukraïna: War, Migration and Memory group. Mykola is the author of numerous articles on ethnic studies dedicated to Roma people and Meskhetian Turks in Ukraine. He also runs the independent theatre company, the Kherson Theatre Lab and directs documentary theatre productions. In 2018, Mykola was awarded the ADAMI Media Prize for Cultural Diversity in Eastern Europe. In addition, he has experience mediating difficult and complex conflicts, focusing on dialogue and understanding.
Mykola Homanyuk is an associate professor at Kherson State University and chairperson of the Kherson branch of the Sociological Association of Ukraine. He is also a geographer and theatre-maker. Since 2022, he has been a member of the Prisma Ukraïna: War, Migration and Memory group. Mykola is the author of numerous articles on ethnic studies dedicated to Roma people and Meskhetian Turks in Ukraine. He also runs the independent theatre company, the Kherson Theatre Lab and directs documentary theatre productions. In 2018, Mykola was awarded the ADAMI Media Prize for Cultural Diversity in Eastern Europe. In addition, he has experience mediating difficult and complex conflicts, focusing on dialogue and understanding.
Rukmini Iyer is a leadership development consultant, facilitator, and the founder of Exult! Solutions. Her expertise spans leadership development; organisational design; diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting; executive coaching; peace education; interfaith dialogue; and public leadership. Rukmini is professionally trained in trauma-informed approaches to facilitation and coaching, and she holds master’s degrees in organisational psychology and business management, along with a fellowship in peace and conflict resolution. She is a Rotary Peace Fellow alumna (Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, 2013) and a Rotary Positive Peace Activator. She is based in Mumbai, India.
Rafal Pankowski is a professor of sociology at Collegium Civitas in Warsaw, Poland and a cofounder of the NEVER AGAIN Association. He has worked internationally on human rights, genocide commemoration, and reconciliation, with publications on racism, nationalism, populism, and genocide denial. From 2024 to 2025, he is serving a Rotary Peace Fellowship at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. Rafal holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Warsaw (having also studied at the University of Oxford as an undergraduate), as well as a PhD and a habilitation degree in the sociology of culture from the University of Warsaw. He is certified in mediation and holds a Leadership in Crisis Situations certificate from the Makerere University Nyerere Leadership Institute. In 2018, Rafal served as a visiting professor at the Centre for European Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
Rafal Pankowski is a professor of sociology at Collegium Civitas in Warsaw, Poland and a cofounder of the NEVER AGAIN Association. He has worked internationally on human rights, genocide commemoration, and reconciliation, with publications on racism, nationalism, populism, and genocide denial. From 2024 to 2025, he is serving a Rotary Peace Fellowship at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. Rafal holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Warsaw (having also studied at the University of Oxford as an undergraduate), as well as a PhD and a habilitation degree in the sociology of culture from the University of Warsaw. He is certified in mediation and holds a Leadership in Crisis Situations certificate from the Makerere University Nyerere Leadership Institute. In 2018, Rafal served as a visiting professor at the Centre for European Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
Danuta Przepiórkowska is a certified interpreter & translator who works in Polish, English, Russian, Ukrainian and German, with extensive experience in human rights, history, and international affairs; a sociologist (cross-cultural surveys, migration research, and minority studies); an academic teacher; and an active member of various professional associations. Danuta has experience living, studying, and working in five countries, and is currently based in Warsaw, Poland.
Andrei Sergunkin is a professional graphic designer and a graduate of the Moscow State University of Printing Arts. As a member of the International Memorial organization, which is banned in the Russian Federation and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, Andrei is engaged in advocating for peace and human rights. He works with the Memorial Society both internationally and in Poland, and has cooperated with the Sakharov Center in the Russian Federation. Currently a political refugee in Warsaw, Poland, Andrei continues his efforts to promote peace and human rights.
Andrei Sergunkin is a professional graphic designer and a graduate of the Moscow State University of Printing Arts. As a member of the International Memorial organization, which is banned in the Russian Federation and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, Andrei is engaged in advocating for peace and human rights. He works with the Memorial Society both internationally and in Poland, and has cooperated with the Sakharov Center in the Russian Federation. Currently a political refugee in Warsaw, Poland, Andrei continues his efforts to promote peace and human rights.
Natalia Sineaeva is a scholar and practitioner who has extensive experience in memorialisation and genocide education. She has studied social sciences, genocide studies, and peace studies at various European universities and at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. She is a Rotary Peace Fellow alumna (Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, 2018), a UN OHCHR Minority Fellow, and a certified mediator. Natalia focuses on dealing with the past and the fostering of positive peace in divided societies. She worked with the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland, and has collaborated with the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and other memorial sites. Natalia’s works in partnership with the NEVER AGAIN. Association, which counters racism and antiminority discrimination. Born in Chisinau, Moldova, and currently based in Warsaw, Poland, Natalia is passionate about her minority roots and about intercultural dialogue.
