The Forum of the Network “Ambassadors of Peaceful Change” was held in the city of Zhovkva, Lviv region, organized by the non-governmental organization SMARTA. The event was the final event of a large-scale project aimed at supporting women, developing women’s leadership, and strengthening the role of internally displaced women in communities.
Representatives of the Department of Family, Youth, and Mass Events of National and Patriotic Education of the Donetsk Regional State Administration also participated in the forum.
The forum brought together participants from different regions of Ukraine — strong, courageous, indomitable women who, despite losses, evacuation, and difficult life circumstances, continue to act, support others, and change their communities.
The participants discussed issues of advocating for women’s rights, developing resilience, preserving identity, overcoming traumatic experiences, and the role of culture and memory in forming strong communities. An important component of the forum was the establishment of new partnerships, exchange of experience and development of new ideas for further initiatives.
As part of the implementation of the project “Ambassadors of Peaceful Change”, 26 local initiatives created by women themselves were implemented in 10 regions of Ukraine. Among them are educational, cultural, social, psychological and human rights projects aimed at supporting people and developing communities.
The forum became another confirmation that women's support networks are an effective tool for social change, and IDP women today are not only a symbol of resilience, but also active leaders who shape a new quality of Ukrainian society.