On 27 October, the 2025 cohort of the UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy (PDA) participated in an online session that shifted the focus from regional political analysis to one of the foundational elements of peacebuilding - intercultural dialogue. The lecture was delivered by experts from the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) - Dana Podmolikova, Programme Management Specialist for Youth, and Miriam Rubio Ramirez, Programme Management Support - Senior Assistant. The session emphasized the importance of fostering mutual understanding and cooperation as essential elements in building inclusive and peaceful societies. The event was moderated by UNRCCA representatives, Andriy Larin and Nataliya Chemayeva.
The session began with an overview of the UNAOC, whose work aims to reduce polarization at both local and global levels by promoting mutual understanding among peoples and nations across cultures. The presentation also guided future diplomats through a deeper exploration of practical tools for dialogue and cultural competence.
The PDA participants from all five Central Asian countries and Afghanistan learned about the key thematic pillars of the UNAOC - Youth, Education, Women as Peace Mediators, Media, and Migration. Special emphasis was placed on the organization’s flagship programmes that empower young people, including the UNAOC Fellowship and the Young Peacebuilders Programme, among others. The lecture included a practical discussion on intercultural dialogue, defined as a meaningful exchange in which people from different backgrounds share ideas with openness and respect. The experts emphasized that such dialogue is essential for enabling people to live together peacefully and constructively in a multicultural world.
UNAOC lecturers guided the cohort through essential concepts related to personal and cultural differences. Participants explored identity, examining the complex elements that shape an individual, including place of residence, beliefs, gender, age, upbringing, and experiences. The session also addressed intersectionality, explaining how different markers of difference, such as race, class, gender, ethnicity, and disability - intersect to influence lived experiences. Additionally, implicit bias was discussed, defined as pervasive, unconscious attitudes and stereotypes that may contradict an individual’s stated beliefs.
The online session concluded with a Q&A segment. In their final remarks, the PDA team highlighted the vital role these young leaders play in advancing the shared goal of #OneHumanity by applying intercultural competencies in their preventive diplomacy work.
