(Battambang): It began with a story. Not one of fame or fiction, but of reflection of young people rediscovering how their voices can heal divides.
From June 12 to 17, 2025, young leaders, peace builders, and storytellers from across Southeast Asia gathered in “Yogyakarta for Transformative Storytelling”, a week-long training led by the International Dialogue Center (KAICIID) in collaboration with The Caravanserai Collective (Cerita Caravan).
They came from different corners of the region: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and beyond each carrying stories of struggle, faith, and hope. What united them was a shared belief that dialogue, when built on empathy, can change lives.
The training wasn’t about crafting perfect sentences. It was about understanding the power of words to bridge difference. Through personal narrative sessions, participants explored how their experiences shape their advocacy and how storytelling could become a tool for peace.
“Storytelling has the power to create opportunities for people to engage with one another, to build bridges, and to overcome differences,” said Mitra Modaressi, KAICIID Senior Program Manager for Asia. “We are investing in storytelling so that young people can have the tools to build bridges amongst their communities and be able to tell and hear each other's stories.”
The training brought together participants from diverse faiths, cultures, and professional sectors who are committed to building more inclusive and peaceful communities in their respective countries.
Amid shared meals and reflective sessions, they listened, truly listened to one another’s stories of loss, purpose, and resilience.
“The reflection sessions were deeply meaningful for me,” said Keo Piseth (Sam), a deputy editor-in-chief at Fresh News from Cambodia as a trainee. “They allowed me to pause, connect with others on a personal level, and truly internalize the values of interfaith dialogue.”
By the end of the week, a new bond had formed, one rooted not in nationality or religion, but in shared humanity.
Two months later, that same spirit came alive again, this time in Singapore.
On August 9, 2025, Cerita Kita, meaning Our Story, was launched at threeforty.a Studio, bringing together young writers, peace advocates, and regional networks. The zine was the creation of 15 young Southeast Asian writers (Trainees), guided by Malaysian storyteller Aisyah Lyana and Filipino writer Perry Paul Lamanilao.
Their mission was simple but profound: to preserve stories that build understanding across differences.
“The stories are not just for documentation, but also as a dialogue tool that can be used by educators, youth, and peace activists,” Aisyah said.
Supported by KAICIID and Cerita Caravan, the zine was written in multiple languages and translated into English to reach wider audiences. Each piece reflected lived experiences of identity, loss, belonging, and hope.
“We hope Cerita Kita inspires others to explore the potential of storytelling as a tool for connection, courage, and change,” said Stephen Shashoua, Cerita Caravan’s Chief Programs Officer and Co-Founder. “When space is created for diverse voices to be heard, powerful things can grow.”
The zine’s launch coincided with Singapore’s 60th anniversary, creating a moment of shared reflection about memory, identity, and the meaning of community.
“They shared their memories of Singapore, opening my eyes to how this small city can leave a deep impression on people’s hearts,” Aisyah reflected.
The event’s 30 attendees including youth leaders and peace advocates, celebrated how storytelling could serve as a bridge among nations. Sales of the zine were directed toward supporting future peace-building projects and workshops in the region.
By October, the storytelling wave had reached Cambodia.
At the Cambodia Peace Gallery in Battambang on 18 October, 2025, a small but vibrant group of seven young participants joined a workshop titled Storytelling: Public Narrative for Leadership and Positive Change.
Led by the Cambodia Peace Gallery with support from KAICIID, Cerita Caravan, the training introduced the Public Narrative framework, the “Story of Self, Story of Us, and Story of Now” as a tool to connect values with action.
They began the day with laughter through a game called “Who is the Leader?”, then moved into drawing portraits symbolizing their superpowers, values, and hopes. One by one, participants shared personal stories of their communities, from youth drug problems to environmental concerns and the rise of hate speech online.
Dalen, one of the participants, told a moving story about his childhood red-protected string, a reminder of fear, faith, and protection that still shaped his identity today.
“Stories have the power to change views and inspire action,” said Ratanak Na, Executive Director of the Cambodia Peace Gallery. “Through storytelling, our youth connect their values with action and lead change with purpose.”
By sunset, the workshop space was filled with sketches, story notes, and new friendships, proof that storytelling can turn reflection into leadership.
From Yogyakarta to Singapore to Battambang, the message echoes across borders: peace begins with dialogue, and dialogue begins with listening.
Storytelling has become the common language, one that transcends religion, culture, and politics.
Each shared memory becomes a seed. Each story told becomes a bridge.
Across Southeast Asia, a new generation of storytellers is finding its voice, ready to write not just their own stories, but a shared story of peace.
Because peace doesn’t arrive from above.
It grows from the ground, in words, empathy, and courage to tell the stories that matter.
=FRESH NEWS
