In a region long overshadowed by conflict narratives, a new kind of leadership is emerging - quiet, insistent, and unmistakably women-centred.
In a region long overshadowed by conflict narratives, a new kind of leadership is emerging - quiet, insistent, and unmistakably women-centred.
At the UN Alliance of Civilizations ( UNAOC ) meeting under way in Riyadh , a Youth Forum took place on Monday featuring, among others, young women from the South Caucasus.
They are reframing what reconciliation can look like, not through grand negotiations but through conversations in courtyards, late‑night virtual sessions, and the kind of cross‑border friendships many in their communities have never dared to imagine.
These are not diplomats. They are the next generation. And they are rewriting the script.
From borders to bridges
On the sidelines of the Forum, UN News met three of them: Ana Kuprava from Georgia, Maria Yasyan from Armenia, and Shahana Afandiyeva from Azerbaijan - all alumni of UNAOC's Young Peacebuilders programme.
Ana leads a youth project titled From Borders to Bridges, a four‑month initiative supported by her friends Maria and Shahana.
For her, the idea took root in her hometown of Tbilisi. Georgia's diversity is often celebrated, she said, yet the everyday reality - especially in remote areas - is far more fragmented.
"We live together, different nationalities, different religions, but when it comes to collaboration and interculturalism, it becomes a question. We do not collaborate much with each other."
Her project gathered 50 young people of Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani backgrounds, some from big cities, others from remote minority villages. Many had never spoken to someone from a neighbouring community.
Through online modules, creative exercises, and what Ana calls "yard conversations" in old Tbilisi courtyards, participants uncovered something quietly powerful: coexistence had always been woven into the region's history; it had simply been forgotten.
'It's all about the first step'
Shahana joined the initiative from Azerbaijan, taking part in sessions on preventing extremism and radicalisation among youth. For her, trust is built slowly - often through the smallest gestures.
"We come from a region with complex histories and fragile trust," she said. "But it's all about the first step. Then the rest will come later."
Even in virtual sessions, she remembers how cameras-on conversations helped participants drop their guard, revealing emotion, humour, hesitation, and eventually, confidence.
On the impact, she said young people proved they didn't need abundant resources to counter extremism. What they needed was intent.
"Diversity is not something to be scared of. It is something beautiful that we need to be proud of."
Women at the centre of peacebuilding
Speaking from Armenia, Maria focused on something often sidelined: the role women play in peace processes, especially in regions with long histories of mutual suspicion.
Despite the language challenges and political tensions, she watched young people lean in, interrupt, ask difficult questions, and most importantly, challenge themselves.
"They were interrupting, asking questions. They were really into it. They want to learn more, they want to speak up, and they are the changemakers."
Her message to youth worldwide is direct:
"We need to stand up, speak up, and stand for each other. Everyone can do it if they really want."
The project's influence stretched beyond its formal end. Participants stayed in touch, sent follow‑up questions, added her on social media, and began exploring cross‑border collaboration.
Maria is also running another initiative at home, supporting young people - especially in rural communities - in developing essential skills. Some of her participants, once unsure of their abilities, are now planning small‑scale projects of their own.
"They weren't sure they could do it at first. But then they started taking the lead on bigger ideas. They see themselves as the changemakers of today."
Learning to lead - one conversation at a time
For all three women, the UNAOC Young Peacebuilders programme was the spark. It offered mentorship, practical tools, and the confidence to work with communities that, at first glance, may seem hesitant or divided.
They learned to design projects, assess risks, communicate across generations, and build trust face‑to‑face or screen‑to‑screen.
But the deeper lesson was something else: change doesn't need headlines.
A conversation in a courtyard. A shared story. A moment of recognition.
"We are living in a region turning from conflict towards peace," Shahana said. "Peace cannot be built only through geopolitics. We need a more inclusive, more human peace and we need youth to build it."
Ana heard something similar from her own participants. Many told her it was their first time speaking with peers of different nationalities.
"They felt safe, happy, appreciated," she said. "Even if actions are small, the impact can be huge."
And for anyone, anywhere, who thinks their idea is too small to matter, Maria leaves them with this:
"Be creative, take action, and stand for each other. Don't do it alone, do it with a team."
