My Armenian experience suggests ten principles of social action

The use of violence creates winners and losers, which sows the seeds for counter violence.

This brings us to the eighth principle of social action, which is that social action must always seek, as far as is possible, to create a win-win outcome for all. The oppressors must always be given the opportunity to cease their oppressive behaviour, to recover their own humanity. Thus the aim, method and outcome of social action must be consciously geared towards transformation, rather than punishment. I have tried to keep this principle in mind in my own dealings with people in power in Armenia. In many cases, I have found that a mixture of patient perseverance, firm confrontation and steps taken to show that the outcome would be to the benefit of all, have opened the way to working together towards change.

The ninth principle of social action is that the process of social action is as important as the outcome. The values developed and skills learned during the process of social action are valuable in and of them selves, whether or not the desired outcome is achieved. Final year students at Armenia’s Center for Leadership Development are required to dream of, plan and implement a community project. As I help students through this process, I point them to the importance of what they gain along the way, explaining that the skills that they have developed will allow them to dream, plan and implement other projects in the future.

The tenth, and final, principle of social action is that, although the outcome of social action is not always guaranteed in the short term, persistent social action sows the seeds for future social change. What we do now may simply be our contribution to the long-term process of social change. However tempting it may be to throw in the towel and walk away, to do so will make it harder for those who come after us. Every small action taken, and every individual and group mobilised, prepares the way for social change, either now or in the future.

As I work to bring about social change in Armenia, I find in these principles the strength to start small and think big. I find the motivation to stand alongside those who love their country and their fellow human beings unconditionally. And I find the hope with which to invest in the people who are committed to bringing about change, driven by a vision to build a better future for Armenia and the world.