On April 8th, we gathered in a listening circle. Sometimes, the world feels overwhelming — like everything is happening all at once, and there’s no space to process it.
This Peace Encounter evening hosted by the Center for Dialogue and Conflict Transformation at LCC International University was that space.
We gathered in a listening circle to slow down and be present with each other. No pressure to debate or have the “right” opinion — just an honest conversation about what’s happening in the world and how it affects us.
We talked a lot about courage — what it means to stay engaged, to keep caring, and to not turn away from difficult realities. Everyone came with different experiences, but there was a shared feeling: the need to understand and to be heard.
As Zoriana, a 2nd year Ukrainian business student, shared,
“Peace encounters provide a rare opportunity in modern life to pause, reflect, and truly listen… Through discussions with others, we gain new insights and a deeper understanding.”
And Salome, a 1st year IRD student from Georgia,  reflected on the feeling of the space itself:
“It is always special to come together and create a safe space where all ideas and perspectives are respected and appreciated.”
That’s what made this encounter meaningful — not just the topics we discussed, but how we showed up for each other.
Because sometimes, peace doesn’t start with big solutions.
Sometimes it starts with a conversation — honest, open, and human