TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Nelly Paytyan
The training course "YOUTH WORKERS COMBATING HATE SPEECH ONLINE & OFFLINE - YAHOO!" aimed to increase the competencies of youth leaders, youth workers, and educators in anti-hate speech activism and Human Rights Education (HRE).
It addressed the need for empowering participants with effective strategies to combat hate speech both online and offline. The training course aligned perfectly with the goals of the organizations involved, as it sought to mainstream anti-hate speech and HRE methods in youth work and develop future HRE-related projects in partner countries.
The target group of the training activity consisted of youth leaders, youth workers, and educators from various countries (Armenia, Netherlands, France, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine).
The program had an international composition, involving 30 participants from different nationalities and European countries. The diverse representation of nationalities allowed for cross-cultural learning and collaboration.
Non-formal learning methods were predominantly used in this training. Interactive workshops, group discussions, and practical exercises were employed to enhance participants' understanding and application of anti-hate speech activism and Human Rights Education. Forum theater and interactive challenges allowed participants to apply their knowledge in real-life scenarios. The training also included group work activities where participants developed projects integrating anti-hate speech and HRE methods.
The training activity successfully achieved its objectives. Participants gained valuable knowledge, skills, and tools to address hate speech both online and offline. They expressed their intent to collaborate on future projects and develop initiatives to combat hate speech and promote human rights in their communities, surpassing the initial expectations. The success of the training was evident through the positive feedback and evaluations received from the participants.
As a Senior Trainer, my key responsibilities included:
✔ Program Design – Developing the structure, methodology, and content of the training, ensuring alignment with the project’s goals together with the other senior trainer and the junior trainer.
✔ Facilitation & Delivery – Leading interactive sessions, implementing methodologies such as Theatre of the Oppressed, World Café, and team discussions, and engaging participants in meaningful discussions and activities.
✔ Evaluation & Reporting – Conducting midterm and final evaluations to assess learning outcomes, collecting feedback, and compiling reports on the impact of the training.
✔ Team Coordination – Collaborating with fellow trainers to ensure a smooth learning process and maintaining an inclusive and dynamic training environment.
I had the pleasure of working with Nelly Paytyan during the Youth Workers Combating Hate Speech Online & Offline – Yahoo! program, and her contribution was truly invaluable. As a trainer, Nelly demonstrated an impressive depth of knowledge, engaging facilitation skills, and a strong ability to create an open and inclusive learning environment.
Her sessions were not only informative but also highly interactive, fostering meaningful discussions among participants. She masterfully combined theoretical insights with practical tools, ensuring that youth workers could apply what they learned in real-world contexts. Nelly’s expertise in combating hate speech, both online and offline, was evident in the way she addressed complex topics with clarity and sensitivity.
Beyond her professionalism, Nelly’s approachable and supportive attitude made her an excellent trainer. She was always open to questions, encouraged critical thinking, and adapted her methods to the group’s needs, making sure that every participant felt heard and empowered.
Her contribution to the program greatly enhanced its impact, equipping youth workers with the necessary skills and motivation to tackle hate speech effectively. We highly appreciate Nelly’s dedication and expertise and would be delighted to collaborate with her again in the future.