{"id":10132,"date":"2026-08-08T14:25:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foradacaixacoletivo.com.br\/openzine\/?p=10132"},"modified":"2026-08-08T14:33:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:33:23","slug":"iipe-granada-a-meeting-of-hearts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foradacaixacoletivo.com.br\/openzine\/iipe-granada-a-meeting-of-hearts\/","title":{"rendered":"IIPE – Granada – A meeting of hearts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It’s very difficult to put into words the emotion of participating in this meeting at the University of Granada, Spain. Firstly, because when we think of a meeting of educators for peace, organized by the International Institute on Peace Education, it’s something that only those who have had prior experience with this learning community can imagine. Usually, meetings between educators, academics, and researchers already denote a certain rigidity, and the format of a symposium, conference, or something similar comes to mind. Well, this is nothing like that. The format and pedagogy applied in this case are incomparable to other meetings; there are only 60 participants (there were more than 200 applicants, but the number of those selected is part of the pedagogy and work process). We gathered for a week in a residential setting, where we ate together, reflected, lived together, created bonds and friendships that filled our hearts with joy. It’s like a large tribe experiencing emotions together and receiving the energy of our ancestors, celebrating individual achievements and sharing the best we have to offer the group at each moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I had already fallen in love with this community when I participated in the meeting held in Nepal two years ago. I shared my experience in a heartfelt report that can be read via this link:
IIPE – Nepal – Uma Experi\u00eancia Extraordin\u00e1ria<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This time the meeting was at the University of Granada, one of the most traditional in Europe. Founded in 1513, it continues to be one of the most important benchmarks of quality and excellence ever since. We stayed in one of its five units, with all the comfort and complete assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The dormitory building had a beautiful view, the interior was super organized with different rooms and spaces for our activities, the cafeteria was great, and all the meals and snacks during breaks were delicious!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In fact, we ate way too much, everything was so delicious and the variety of typical Spanish dishes was so tempting, I think few could resist\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The pedagogy of the encounter provides an informal interaction between the participants from the beginning, not to mention that the night before the program started we had the World Cup final, cheering for Spain united us and the victory celebration was beautiful! If there was any cultural barrier at that moment, it dissolved; we were united in cheering and in the suffering of the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Meeting friends who were in Nepal and in other editions is an added joy; something inexplicable happens when we are together, a powerful force of love, acceptance, respect, and admiration draws us closer, and we are certain that these friendships will last a lifetime. It’s a fact!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The World Caf\u00e9 is one of the first activities, where groups interact with each other, the main reflections that we will carry out during the meetings are\u00a0 presented and insights are shared in a playful and creative way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Among the morning activities are plenary sessions, where the whole group meets and three participants present their projects, proposals, and reflections. We learn to listen and collectively formulate questions that arise with each presentation. More than seeking answers, this way of exploring themes,\u00a0 keeping curiosity and collective reflection alive is precious. In times where we are swallowed up by so much information, we increasingly lack deep listening, and producing collective reflection is something rarely seen in academic meetings. Personally, I can’t identify with this more rigid academic format; I find it very tiring and unproductive. When I go to meetings at universities, I find all the presentations too quick, and almost no one has time to interact or ask questions to the speakers. Besides the pedestal some academics are placed on, which makes easy and informal access impossible, ego is celebrated more than the content itself. But that’s just my opinion; many appreciate it, I don’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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