A few weeks ago, 23 young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Israel, Palestine and Kurdistan-Iraq set off on a journey. They have left their families, friends, jobs or studies, their familiar surroundings and have come to Ruhpolding to take part in the Summer Academy for Intercultural Dialogue. New people were welcomed, suitcases unpacked. Together they have embarked on a journey: A journey of narratives and personal stories that have taken them through their own lives, political circumstances from their countries of origin, traumatic events and suffering. They have found moments of shared tears and laughter and hugs full of comfort and support in new friendships. And after a long journey of dialogue, they have come to the conclusion that our common humanity unites them across all differences of origin, religion, culture and language.
The Summer Academy for Intercultural Dialogue took place from August 13 – 27 at the Labenbachhof in Ruhpolding. After getting to know each other for the first time, the motto of the academy “Choosing Hope to Inspire Change” was soon artistically designed by all participants. A human-sized dandelion flower made of colorful cardboard grew upwards from a gap in the wall. The flying seeds of the dandelion are intended to represent the hope that spreads throughout the world and thus leads to change in small, almost invisible steps.
It was two weeks with a varied program and full of intensive encounters. In various workshops, we explored the effects of trauma on societies and individuals, learned about the history and conflicts of different countries, created space for interreligious and philosophical exchange and discussed new approaches to the culture of remembrance. The result was a trusting space for shared encounters and dialogue. Recognizing one’s own suffering and at the same time the pain of others. Enduring, but also being held. One participant described it as “a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience” that she will remember with gratitude for a very long time. And although this inspiring and moving time is now over, the hope remains that the newfound perspectives and friendships will remain. And as the dandelion flower shows: When hope spreads throughout the world, change is only a matter of time.
