‘Is there anyone that can still listen?’- our Director’s note, March 2026

It was one of our practitioners that asked for a call - a group call with anyone who would want to come. His family is in Afghanistan, he lives in Europe. And the pain of this new war is once again unbearable. What to say, when and how, to whom? How to listen? And is there anyone still that can listen? So we got to a listening session. A silence after everyone that spoke. A meeting of the heart.

A World of Neighbours is about getting things done, putting dreams into practice – but it has always been and intends to be: people over projects. We are dedicated to this principle and will fail at it all the time. Because it’s a counter cultural approach. We need to set our hearts and minds to it, again and again.

After the group call a reflection was shared with the group. I share a small part of it: “The topics we discussed were crucial, and the silence after each person´s words was so needed, so helpful. We talked about the cruel wars (…) and the torturous silence caused by these wars, and the mistrust being spread through our communities. Silence in general is a good thing, it gives us the opportunity to listento hearto learn, and to understand. But when silence is enforced, when it is caused by injustice and evil, then it can be dangerous. It can turn neighbour on neighbour, friend on friend, (…)” 

Let’s keep talking. If in any way possible, we would love to see you in Brussels (see event below) or in Portugal in September at the Annual Summit. Or in any one of our online gatherings. 

Read our March Newsletter and suscribe for monthly updates from AWoN.

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