Firstly, I would like to express my personal admiration and pride for the devoted and enthusiastic work that each of you has done and is doing for commonwealth and better changes in our societies, because the atmosphere of mutual assistance and compassion is the main guarantee for the change. And this is what Edgeryders do.
Having the apportunity to work and participate in the events organized by the UNDP and Edgeryders Team in Armenia, I came to a very optimistic conclution, that everything is possible if there are interested people involved in. Particularly, the meeting and cooperation of different journalists, civic activists, innovators, students and entrepreneurs, the flow of their ideas and suggestions, as well as the crowdsourcing methods of singling out the most current social problems in Armenia delighted me. This gave us an opportunity to listen to each other, to understand the issues, to segregate the resources and the needs and to make some sketeches for future actions. So the first important step has been accomplished.
This was actually another great experience for me to work with a group of talented people, to enlarge my knowledge about Armenia’s current problems and situation, to find new faces and contacts, as well as to learn new ways of engaging others in the processes. I am impatiently waiting for new meetings and actions.
What I like about Edgeryders is their transparency and the linkage of different societies in their work. I mean, when dealing with a problem you have different similar examples in front of you, and you can follow the challanges that other societies also face, it gives you better/deeper understanding of the situation and much more confidence in your future actions. What I’m expecting from Edgeryders is their continuous devotion and desire to work together and to expand their fields of activities. To engage more people in the events and to organize more face-to-face meetings. I am also eager to have some cooperative undertakings and projects with Georgia, Egypt and other countires engaged, which will definitely give more effectiveness and attraction for future participants. Maybe kind of «Knowledge exchange meetings» or traditional «seminars for futurespotters», held regularly, they will be meetings of consultation and reporting. What do you think?
Best Regards,
Zhanna