VOICES OF HOPE

At the end of April, two events took place in and with the Bruno Kreisky Forum that focused on open dialogue about the Israel-Palestine conflict. The focus was on personal perspectives, critical debate and the question of what role politicisation, experience, exchange and education can play in times of hatred, dehumanisation and polarisation.

On 28 April, around 30 participants from committed civil society, NGOs, ministries and the university environment came together for a closed workshop at the Kreisky Forum. The two-hour exchange centred on the connection between personal experience and political commitment. The two invited speakers - a Palestinian researcher from the Gaza Strip, currently a PhD candidate in Peace and Conflict Resolution, and an Israeli expert in Sustainable Community Development from West Jerusalem - shared their realities and perspectives. The workshop provided space for honest conversations about power relations, historical narratives and the challenges of dialogue work. The importance of encounters between people who otherwise have little direct dialogue and often only talk about each other instead of with each other was particularly emphasised. The two speakers emphasised the need for critical dialogue, taking responsibility and long-term reconciliation work as the basis for sustainable peace.

Two days later, on 30 April, the two guests were invited to Erich-Fried-Realgymnasium. In the spirit of the Kreisky Forum's „Peace at School“ initiative, the speakers spoke to around 60 pupils and teachers about their personal biographies, their politicisation and their commitment to peace work. The audience then had the opportunity to ask questions anonymously, ranging from political assessments to personal experiences and moral dilemmas. Together with the speakers, these were reflected upon and discussed. The aim was to question simple answers and instead create space for complexity, empathy and independent thinking.

Photos: © Private