Journey Speakers
Each Democracy Journey features conversations with leading national voices. Meet the core group of speakers who travelers engage with throughout the experience.
Armenia
Gayane Abrahamyan
Journalist, Former Member of Parliament, and Democracy/Human Rights Advocate
Gayane Abrahamyan is an award-winning journalist and fearless advocate for human rights, media transparency, and democracy with over two decades of experience, including roles with Eurasianet, The Guardian, and ArmeniaNow, and as a parliamentarian leading Armenia’s Euronest delegation. As founder of For Equal Rights NGO and its Article 3 Club, she has built one of Yerevan’s most dynamic civic hubs, fostering youth engagement and media literacy.
Artur Ghazaryan
Non-Profit Leader and Youth Advocate
Artur Ghazaryan is the founder and driving force behind the Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan (YCCD NGO), which empowers young people and communities across Armenia’s Tavush region. Since 2008, he has built YCCD into a leading hub for youth leadership, entrepreneurship, and civic participation and it has become a trusted partner for national and development programs, fostering collaboration between civil society, local authorities, and global networks.
Hovhannes Margaryan
Artist, Activist, and Co-Founder of Artlab Yerevan
An art activist who uses humor, irony, and visual provocation to challenge authority and expose social contradictions. Through painting, graffiti, video, and collective action, he turns political absurdities into acts of resistance. A founding member of Artlab Yerevan and former member of Artlaboratory, he has led projects blending art and civic engagement, including the Revolutionary Sensorium at the 58th Venice Biennale.
Michael Nahapetyan
Political Activist and Architect of Velvet Revolution
A young Armenian activist and key architect of the 2018 Velvet Revolution, he helped shape its reformist vision and mobilize youth around transparency and justice. After the revolution, he served as assistant to Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, contributing to early government reforms. Today, through initiatives like the “Zang” movement, he continues to champion democratic accountability and inspire new civic leaders.
Kosovo
Anton Çuni
Former Minister of Defense/Member of Parliament/Former KLA Leader
Anton Çuni led Kosovo’s transition from the KLA to professional security institutions, overseeing the demilitarization of the KLA, the creation of the Kosovo Security Force, and Kosovo’s first co-deployment with U.S. forces, while shaping national security policy and strengthening international defense cooperation.
Fahrije Hoti
Survivor of Krusha e Madhe Massacre/Founder of Krusha Cooperative
Fahrije Hoti transformed personal tragedy into community empowerment after all male members of her village were lost following a massacre. She mobilized local women to rebuild livelihoods, preserve cultural traditions, and foster economic independence in Krusha e Madhe. Ms Hoti’s story is featured in the acclaimed documentary, “The Hive”.
Atifete Jahjaga
Former President of Kosovo
Atifete Jahjaga served as the first female and youngest President of Kosovo, where she prioritized nonpartisan leadership to strengthen democratic institutions and advance social justice. She later founded the Jahjaga Foundation, which champions human rights and provides critical support to survivors of sexual violence.
Father Sava Janjic
Abbott of the Dečani Monastery
Father Sava Janjic is a prominent Serbian Orthodox monk and advocate for peace and reconciliation. Known for promoting interfaith dialogue and protecting cultural heritage, he leverages social media and community engagement to bridge divides between Albanian and Serbian communities in Kosovo.
Dr. Edita Tahiri
Former Minister of Dialogue/Former Deputy Prime Minister
Dr. Edita Tahiri, played a central role in Kosovo’s peaceful resistance, leveraging international diplomacy to secure global support and recognition for Kosovo’s independence, and later leading the EU-facilitated dialogue with Serbia to advance reconciliation, democratic development, and regional stability.
Shaqir Totaj
Mayor of Prizren
Shaqir Totaj is the Mayor of Prizren, one of the most ethnically diverse municipalities in Kosovo. Over his tenure as mayor, Mr. Totaj has been at the forefront of democratic and transparent local governance with a focus on inclusion of Prizren’s diverse ethnic make-up.
Jeta Xharra
Director of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network/Founder of the Reporting House
Jeta Xharra began her career as an interpreter for foreign media covering the Kosovo War of 1998-99. Since then, she has been at the forefront of independent media in Kosovo, holding government and civil society alike accountable through her investigative reporting. In 2024, Jeta opened the Reporting House Museum.
North Macedonia
Dr. Sasho Ordonoski
Journalist/Thought Leader/ Educator/Founder of Forum Magazine
Dr. Sasho Ordanoski has been one of North Macedonia’s most influential democratic voices for over four decades, shaping the country’s media, politics, and civil society. Rising to prominence as a fearless journalist during the 1990s, he led Macedonian media outlets, founded the influential Forum magazine, and mentored a generation of journalists.
Dr. Irena Stefoska
Former Member of Parliament/Former Minister of Culture/University Professor
Dr. Stefoska rose to prominence during North Macedonia’s Colorful Revolution, bringing her principled voice from the streets into parliament. As Minister of Culture, she worked to protect cultural heritage, modernize institutions, and strengthen ties across Europe, reflecting her belief that culture and democracy are inseparable.
Ivana Tufegzic
Former Member of Parliament/Former Student Activist
Ivana Tufegdzic was a student leader during the Colorful Revolution and, at just 24, became one of North Macedonia’s youngest Members of Parliament. During her term, she stood out as a fearless advocate for accountability, youth, and education. She continues her reform work with international organizations to shape youth policies and strengthen democracy.
Toshe Zafirov
Civic Activist/Former Advisor to the President
Toshe Zafirov is a policy expert and civic activist with over 15 years of experience bridging government, civil society, and regional cooperation. He currently leads communications and advocacy at the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) and previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff to North Macedonia’s President.