The Bridge Builders program was a pivotal experience that not only shaped my personal path, but also ignited a sense of hope and inspiration that continues to guide me today. This programme arrived at a critical juncture in my life, offering a transformative lens through which to understand and address some of the most pressing social issues of our time. In 2021, as a fresh history graduate who had written my thesis on the experiences of refugees in 1940s Britain, I was grappling with how to *turn my ideas into a meaningful impact in the world.
The programme's focus on inter-cultural understanding, social cohesion, interfaith dialogue, and conflict resolution resonated deeply with me. I had witnessed firsthand the challenges of integration and belonging during volunteer work as a student, with refugees and asylum seekers during a period of study in Berlin, and as an interpreter in mental health support sessions for refugees and asylum seekers organized by Caritas in Nicosia, Cyprus. The Bridge Builders program provided a platform to gain a greater understanding of these complex issues through a multifaceted approach, bringing together historical narratives and religious perspectives with student activism.
One of the talks that I found particularly interesting during the Bridge Builders program explored the use of metaphor and symbolic language when discussing complex social and religious issues. The speaker highlighted how metaphors drawn from the natural world, such as animals and their emotional lives, can sometimes provide a more accessible entry point for grappling with challenging topics like interfaith dialogue and conflict resolution. The talk inspired me to think more deeply about the power of multi-sensory experiences and shared rituals in fostering mutual understanding. The programme's visits to mosques, synagogues, and churches also helped me to understand how awe and reverence within sacred spaces can catalyze a sense of connection that transcends linguistic or cultural barriers.
Inspired by the programme's principles, I went on to teach in rural schools in Andalucia, Spain, where I witnessed the transformative power of cultural mediation and the ability of children to transcend language barriers through play and shared experiences. These experiences, in turn, led me to pursue a master's degree in Applied Neuroscience, and now a PhD in the Neuroscience of Intersubjectivity, as I strive to understand the essential building blocks of human experience that can facilitate peace-building and mutual understanding.
My long-term dream is to develop wearable technology that can help regulate the nervous system and facilitate enhanced intersubjective communication, allowing for deeper connection and understanding in these complex settings. I have long been fascinated by the potential of technology to enhance interpersonal communication and foster a greater sense of shared humanity, particularly in the context of refugees and crisis situations.
The Bridge Builders program is a testament to the transformative potential of young people when they are equipped with the tools and knowledge to address complex social challenges. By fostering dialogue, promoting cross-cultural exchange, and cultivating a deeper understanding of the human experience, this program offers a glimmer of hope in a world often divided by conflict and mistrust.
As we look to the future, the lessons and insights gained through the Bridge Builders program can serve as a blueprint for empowering young leaders to become agents of positive change within their communities. By embracing the spirit of bridge-building and fostering a deeper sense of shared humanity, we can unlock the collective potential to create a more just, trusting, and peaceful world. I am honoured and humbled to have been a part of this initiative, and I look forward to seeing it flourish and develop as it goes on.
- Hildelith Leyser, Bridge Builders Programme participant 2021
Applications are now open for our 2025 Bridge Builders Programme, where young people aged 16-19 can spend the week with an Israeli and a Palestinian peace-builder, learning about the region, interfaith dialogue and leadership development. You can find out more and apply here.