Today marks the 4th anniversary of the non-governmental organization “Space for Positive Change.” And I find myself wondering: is that a short time, or a long time?
Compared to the 550-year-old oak tree in the photo, that’s just a moment.
Compared to the lifespan of a butterfly, that’s a very long time.
I used to think that the age and lifespan of civil society organizations were measured by the number of years they’ve been active. But now I see it differently.
For me, an organization’s age is measured by the values it creates. And through the lens of meanings, some organizations can remain “children” and “teenagers” for many years, while others become “adults” very quickly.
Over these four years, we have come a long way. This journey is not just about our activities or the projects we’ve implemented. It’s about the values we’ve nurtured within and shared with the world.
Creating positive change in society by spreading a culture of dignity, respect, and understanding. This is our mission. And these are not just words. Our mission is the essence of the space and atmosphere we create at every event. Our mission is the foundation of communication within the organization and with the outside world. And we share approaches and tools that help bring it to life in various conditions and contexts.
Through the development of coaching competencies and conscious leadership, a practical understanding of human rights, facilitation, a dialogic approach, game-based techniques, and gender-sensitive communication…
Although in our projects our results are measured by the number of people who have acquired new skills and/or improved their mental and emotional well-being, for us they are measured first and foremost by how many people have changed their attitude toward themselves and those around them, bringing more dignity, more respect, and a greater desire for understanding into their relationships with themselves and the world.
So, I believe that we, as an organization, are still young, but already mature. And we have a very interesting journey ahead of us.
Sincerely,
Natalia Stadnychuk, Director of the NGO “Space for Positive Change”