The organization Occurrent Scholastogether with Middle Meetsannounced with regret the suspension of Second International Meeting “Meaning Meets US”planned between June 23 and 26 in the city of the Vatican. The decision was taken as a direct consequence of the war climbing between Israel and Iran and the closure of the Israeli airspace, which prevents the participation of several of the young people summoned.
This encounter had as an axis Gather Israeli, Palestinian and American students to build a sincere dialogue spacewithin the framework of an educational initiative promoted by the late Pope Francis and aimed at sowing culture of peace. Despite face -to -face postponement, from Scholas confirmed that Activities will remain in virtual formatas a gesture of commitment to the crisis.
A difficult decision to a painful reality
“With deep regret,” the official statement begins, in which both organizations expressed the need to prioritize the care, responsibility and safety of participants. The reprogramming of the event is read not only as a logistic consequence, but as a new reflection of how Armed conflicts continue to impact the attempts to build bridges of understanding.
The meeting is part of the Global Agenda of Scholas, which promotes educational experiences where young – regardless of their creed or nationality – can express their eyes, share their stories and transform the difference into an opportunity for growth.
More urgent than ever: peace, dialogue and listening
“Now more than ever we reaffirm our commitment to the culture of the meeting,” said the organizers. The war, they claim, is not an excuse for silence. Therefore, although they cannot meet in person, Young people will connect virtually during the original dates of the event to keep the conversation alive and sustain, although at a distance, the will to peace.
“Words are still our refuge,” says the statement. And he adds that, as history demonstrates, war conflicts only deepen human sufferingwhile the only real road to reconciliation is that of the Education, dialogue and active listening.
A powerful precedent and a standing hope
He First meetingheld in February of this year, left a strong emotional and symbolic impact among the young participants, which consolidated the commitment to repeat the experience with greater reach. The second edition sought to deepen that bond, in an even more tense global scenario.
Despite the postponement, from Scholas they assured that The second edition of “Meaning Meets Us” will be done as soon as the conditions allow it. Meanwhile, they invited academics, religious referents and social leaders to keep accompanying this process That, although beaten by war, it remains firm in its essence.
“Although the sky has closed, the dialogue does not”
The phrase that the statement concludes summarizes the spirit of the initiative: Pumps can interrupt flights, but they should not turn off hope. In times of uncertainty and confrontations, the commitment to educate for peace becomes more necessary and challenging.
The “Meaning Meets US” challenge does not end with the suspension of the face -to -face event. On the contrary, it reaffirms in every young man who decides to listen to the other, even in pain, and build from the difference a more fair and peaceful future.
Source: Ambito
