LCC International University > Research at LCC > Project – Peace at the Margins: Connecting through Language
"Peace at the Margins" was a ~1.5-year peacebuilding initiative (November 2024 – January 2026), co-designed and implemented with Prirašytos Rankos NGO, and supported by EU Solidarity Corps funding through the "Connecting through Language" program (March 2025 – January 2026). Rather than a fixed curriculum, the project was conceived as a reflective, evolving process — one built around consistent human presence inside prison walls.
The project launched in Šiauliai with a warm reception from the prison administration and genuine enthusiasm from participants. Early sessions combined structured English lessons with open conversation. Over time, a clear shift emerged: the most meaningful exchanges happened not in formal instruction, but in unstructured pair conversations — where dialogue could unfold naturally and both sides felt seen. This format consistently proved the most impactful. Volunteers and participants alike described these encounters as among the most human and respectful they had experienced within the prison environment.
Programming was adapted throughout the project based on feedback and the emotional climate of each visit. Highlights included:
Martyna led monthly English lessons at Šiauliai Prison as part of the project. Her first session made one thing clear — the participants came to learn.
Martyna Marčauskienė
English Teacher, LCC International University
Change was often quiet — but real. Among participants, the project brought increased openness, moments of vulnerability, and a growing willingness to reflect. Among volunteers, it was frequently transformative:
One student, inspired by his encounters at the prison, chose to write his BA thesis in partnership with the institution — conducting action research on rehabilitative and restorative practices.
Participants showed growing willingness to reflect on their lives and perspectives, including moments of genuine vulnerability.
For many volunteers, the project challenged their assumptions about incarceration, punishment, and rehabilitation. Stereotypes gave way to empathy and a deeper understanding of structural inequality and human resilience.
This project reaffirmed what consistent, respectful dialogue can do in spaces defined by control and distance. It created openings — for reflection, for connection, for change — on both sides of the prison walls.
2026-09-24
This year, from 21–26 September, LCC International University once again came together to honor International Peace Days, this time exploring the journey "From Division to Connection." Through storytelling, art, and shared reflection, our community turned its attention to themes of racism, social justice, belonging, and human connection — inviting students, staff, and faculty to listen more closely to one another and to the wider world. The week opened with the Gallery of Stories, held in the Alumni Gallery, where students shared original paintings, photographs, drawings, poetry, and other creative works exploring their own perspectives on division and connection. The gallery became a quiet but powerful space, where art spoke what words sometimes cannot, inviting viewers to pause and consider the experiences of others through a creative lens. On 21 September, the community gathered in the Learning Commons Atrium for the Circle of Stories: Different Roots, Equal Worth. From 18:30 to 20:00, students came together for an evening dedicated to listening, reflecting, and sharing personal stories about bias, racism, and belonging. It was an evening that made space for both discomfort and connection, reminding participants that understanding one another often begins simply with the willingness to listen.Evelina Klava, a junior from Latvia, reflected on her experience in the Circle of Stories:"The Sharing Circle was a meaningful reminder of how different our experiences can be, even when we share the same spaces and communities. It was interesting to hear stories that I might not otherwise think about. Some funny, some difficult, and some deeply troubling. Yet, through all the different experiences, I found myself coming back to one simple idea: we all have a role in making others feel welcome, wherever they are. Perhaps that is one of the greatest gifts we can give each other." The following day, 22 September, the community paused once more for Lighting the Path: A Global Peace Vigil, held in the Alumni Gallery from 12:00 to 13:00. Over the lunch hour, students and staff set aside their daily routines to reflect together and stand in solidarity with people and communities around the world affected by war and conflict. Among those who spoke was Irene Harutyunyan, a sophomore from Armenia, whose words carried the weight of a homeland still living with the realities of conflict. She shared that only days earlier, on September 19, Armenians had marked the anniversary of Azerbaijan's 2023 offensive against Artsakh, which forced more than 100,000 people from their homes. For her, Irene explained, Artsakh is not merely a place on a map, but home, memory, family, and belonging. She read a few lines from Artsakh-born poet Vazgen Ovyan, whose verses speak of mountains that carry ancient legends of unwavering spirit, stories passed down through centuries until they became songs within the soul. Irene closed by sharing what peace means to her: being able to call somewhere home without fear of losing it. She lit a candle for all those who have lost a home, a loved one, or a sense of belonging because of war, and voiced a hope that no child would have to learn the meaning of war before learning the feeling of peace. This year's International Peace Days once again reminded the LCC community that peace is not an abstract ideal, but something built through the courage to share, the willingness to listen, and the choice to see one another fully. Through the Gallery of Stories, the Circle of Stories, and the Peace Vigil, students and staff were invited to move from division toward connection — not by ignoring difference, but by honoring it. In a year still marked by conflicts around the world, from ongoing wars to the lingering grief of displacement, these gatherings offered something quietly powerful: a reminder that within our own community, roots may differ, but worth remains equal, and that welcoming one another may be one of the greatest gifts we have to give.
2026-08-05
This June, Peace Center volunteers Valentyna Bober - alumna from Ukraine and Darkhan Ganiuly – a freshman from Kazakstan attended the Youth Peace Summit 2026 in The Hague, Netherlands. They spent a few inspiring days with around 100 young people from across the world, sharing ideas, building connections, and exploring how youth can contribute to global peacebuilding. Representing LCC International University and the Peace Center, they introduced our community and joined meaningful conversations about cooperation, dialogue, and change-making. Darkhan shared that the experience showed him how powerful it is when people from different backgrounds come together to solve global issues, and it gave him hope that young people will have a real voice in future decision-making. From Valentyna's perspective second day had a great significance. Even though not filled with workshops like first and third day, the Taster Talk and Activity Market truly showcased the importance of highlighting organizations and the work being put into creating feasible changes in daily life as well as provided interesting frameworks for future implementations and cooperations. Their participation reflects what Peace Center opportunities are about — connection, growth, and being part of something bigger. Stay connected to join next year’s opportunities!
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