Summer School ‘Construction of Realities’
“I want to meet new people,” “I want to take away something valuable for my further studies,” or “I want to have the freedom to disagree with someone” – a large wall of sticky notes was filled at the beginning of theSummer School by students from the University of Hamburg and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam when they were asked about their expectations for the week ahead.
In Amsterdam, the group of students from a wide range of disciplines spent a week exploring the question of how communication about peace and active peace building can succeed in the face of different world views and realities of life. What role do race and gender as markers of identity play in my experience and positioning in society? And what do postcolonial studies and intersectionality have to do with peace building?
Together, they worked on academic texts, discussed their own experiences, and tested new forms of learning, for example in a drumming workshop, which was a highlight of the Summer school for many participants.With the help of “musicians without borders,” the group became aware in an impressive way of how music can be used to communicate with each other on the path to peace. “I have learned to be more patient and to listen actively,” or “I have become aware of how complex experiences of discrimination are and how they affect conflicts”. – This was part of the participants’ conclusion after this intensive week.
More information on the summer school can be found at [here]
Written by: Friederike Wilhoeft – Centre for Peace Church Theology, Hamburg University
