Blog Cafés in Chernihiv and Horodnia: Emotions, Dialogue, and Leadership in Action
Between August and September 2025, six blog cafés took place in Chernihiv and Horodnia as part of the “Together We Can” programme, implemented by the NGO Human Rights Foundation.
These events became spaces for learning, reflection, and dialogue – where participants could share experiences, find support, and draw inspiration for action.
The topics covered a wide range of essential themes – from emotional intelligence to leadership, mediation, and gender equality. Each meeting helped participants better understand themselves, others, and their communities.
August 25 – Emotional Intelligence: How to Understand Yourself and Others
Trainer: Hanna Shcherbakova
Participants explored the role of emotions in daily life and learned how to recognize their own feelings while understanding others’ emotional reactions. Through practical exercises, they created a “map of emotions” and discussed ways to build more harmonious communication.
August 27 – Psychological Boundaries in Communication: How to Say “No” Without Feeling Guilty
Trainer: Hanna Shcherbakova
The meeting focused on maintaining personal boundaries and respecting others’ limits. Through interactive exercises, participants practiced asserting themselves confidently and peacefully in everyday interactions.
September 10 – Nonviolent Communication and Dialogue in Communities
Moderator: Oksana Shuba
This session explored the principles of nonviolent communication. Participants practiced empathetic listening, learned how to de-escalate conflicts, and discovered methods for building constructive dialogue in their communities.
September 11 – Leadership in Civic Organizations
Trainer: Nikita Strelok
A discussion about modern leadership – built on trust, cooperation, and shared responsibility. Participants analyzed successful cases of local initiatives and developed their own models of inclusive, team-based leadership.
September 23 – Mediation and Dialogue Facilitation Practices in Communities
Moderator: Oksana Shuba
Participants learned about mediation as a tool for understanding and reconciliation. The session included group exercises on facilitation, decision-making, and finding common ground in complex community discussions.
September 30 – Gender Policy and Peacebuilding
Trainer: Alla Nitchenko
The final meeting focused on equality, participation, and the role of women in peace processes. Participants discussed the local implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 2250 and reflected on women’s contributions to peacebuilding.
The blog café series in Chernihiv proved that the true strength of a community lies in open dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to finding solutions.
We sincerely thank all trainers, moderators, partners, and participants for their trust, dedication, and efforts to make communities stronger and more inclusive.
The project is implemented by the NGO Human Rights Foundation within the “Together We Can” programme with the support of IFA and the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.
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