Ambassadors of Hope – stories of courage

Their inspirational stories were chronicled in short one-minute videos conveying each contributor’s hopes and actions.

Marinella Santos Mejía, Colombia

As an activist from and for the Afro-Colombian community, she chose to increase the pride of Afro-descendants and use the levers of democracy to protect the rights of minorities.

Rose Kahambu, Democratic Republic of Congo

For years, and on a daily basis, civilians in Beni have been brutally slaughtered. Rose, a resident of the region, was fed up with impunity. With a group of 12 women, she collected more than €30,000 locally to travel all the way to the capital and demand an audience with the president. They travelled 7,000 km to remind the political leaders of their responsibilities.

Hoda Serjawi, Syria

Hoda is a Syrian leader who continues to fight for equal rights for women believing in a better future for her divided country. A political and civil activist who worked in the local council of Maarat al-Numan, Hoda invested in the empowerment of women to raise awareness of gender related issues. She was part of several political groups that believe in change and democratic transition in Syria and work on a solution for the war, based on the Geneva resolution. Today she is still working for an organization that works on a democratic transition for her country.

The annual peace lab event was organized by Laurence vanden Abeele, Head of MMM Belgium, who also oversees Esperas ’ peace initiatives.

Watch the full recording of the event