Last week, we had the opportunity to take part in the international meeting Partnership Without Borders in France. The event brought together people representing organisations and institutions from ten countries: Poland, France, Spain, Portugal, Lithuania, Cyprus, Romania, Albania, Türkiye, and North Macedonia.
Although the main aim of the meeting was networking and building international partnerships, the programme went far beyond exchanging contact details. Throughout the week, we worked together on topics related to stereotypes, prejudice, and the experiences of migration and seeking refuge. We discussed the challenges faced by people who migrate, examined the mechanisms of exclusion, and explored ways to build more open and inclusive communities.
Another important part of the meeting was developing ideas for educational activities and future international projects. This work resulted in a concept for a joint project that we will continue developing over the coming months. We hope to refine it and turn it into a concrete initiative that responds to real social needs.
However, some of the most valuable moments often took place outside the formal programme. During informal conversations, shared walks and meals, and evening discussions, we had the opportunity to get to know one another, exchange experiences, and speak openly about cultural differences, intercultural dialogue, and ways of resolving conflicts rooted in a lack of knowledge or prejudice.
Importantly, the participants represented more than just the countries they had travelled from. The group included people with a wide range of backgrounds and identities, including people with Algerian roots, participants from Colombia, Pakistan, and India, and representatives of many different social, cultural, and religious communities. This made the meeting a genuine opportunity to experience diversity in practice.
One of the most wonderful parts of the programme was cooking together. Each day, we got to discover flavours from different parts of the world, and the shared table became a place for meeting, conversation, and building relationships. Over dishes prepared by participants from different countries, we laughed and joked, but also talked about important and difficult issues. These moments showed most clearly that, despite our cultural, linguistic, and ideological differences, we can find common ground.
Sharing a meal, especially during the farewell evening, became a symbolic way to bring the whole week together. It showed that cooperation between people is built on closeness, curiosity about others, openness, mutual respect, and a willingness to work together.
We return from France with new contacts, inspiration, and ideas for the future, but above all with plenty to reflect on when it comes to dialogue, diversity, and building a society based on mutual understanding. It was an immensely valuable experience that will stay with us for a long time and will, we are sure, lead to further international initiatives.
Watch the video from the meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PtuAo8GIzQ
