Voices of peace

By Nora Steller

What does peace mean to you? 

What brings you peace? 

These are the two questions Hanna, Maria, and I asked people on the streets, cafés and after the meetings we had during our field trip in Kosovo. Before going to Kosovo, we learned a lot about achieving peace at the state level, and the historic events that shaped this peacebuilding process in Kosovo. However, we also learned that peace needs to come from within before there can be broader peace. This is how we became increasingly interested in finding out more about what peace actually means to Kosovars, and how they themselves find peace. We believe that making individuals reflect on this can have an impact. 

 

For our project, Hanna, Maria and I decided to create a little zine called “Voices of Peace”, including the answers and portraits of Kosovar individuals we spoke to (you can access the online version of our zine here: Voices of Peace). Our aim was to amplify Kosovars’ perceptions of peace by asking them our two questions. We made sure to speak to individuals from different backgrounds and ended up asking five Kosovar Albanians, three Kosovar Serbs and one Roma about their personal perception of peace. Sharing a passion for photography and inspired by “Humans of New York”, we decided to focus on taking portraits of people, believing that faces can say as much as words. We also included some background pictures of Kosovo that we took, and sewed the zine together with threads in the colours of the Kosovo flag. By placing emphasis on individual perspectives and their paths to peace, we aspire to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of peace—going beyond conventional notions and exploring its multifaceted nature, and how it can be fostered within oneself and among communities. 

“Voices of Peace” truly reaffirms that peace is multi-dimensional; peace means different things to different individuals. For instance, some define peace as calm, acceptance and coexistence. Interestingly, many emphasised that mutual recognition goes beyond nationality, ethnicity, and religion. This indicates that while struggles in these areas persist at the state level, individuals may manage to overcome them on a more personal level. Moreover, compassion and respect were highlighted. People focused on being there for each other, as exemplified in the quote: “Peace means asking those around you how they feel and being asked the same”. They also focused on honesty and respecting each other's opinions and beliefs. It was eye opening to hear these different perceptions about peace. Peace can be just the absence of violence or much more; it can mean family, it can mean work, it can mean coexistence with everyone, it can mean compassion, it can mean freedom, it can mean happiness, it can mean health. Moreover, our zine reflects that real peace cannot solely be imposed, but needs to come from within; one needs to have inner peace before there can be broader peace. Our project highlights the different ways in which individuals find inner peace; here work seemed to play an important role, hobbies, such as listening to and playing music, going to nature, doing sports, and being surrounded by family, friends, comrades, or just people. 

While our project may just be a drop in the ocean, these individual insights hold the potential for future peacebuilding efforts to draw upon. In Kosovo, there is room for implementing new activities that resonate with people's hearts, fostering connections and promoting peace on a more personal level. Moreover, we strongly believe in the power of random reflections on peace, even if it is just for five minutes. By encouraging individuals to contemplate what peace means to them and how they find it, we might inspire them to even more actively pursue peace in their daily lives. Furthermore, our project reveals the commonalities among individuals, transcending social differences. In connecting nine individuals from diverse backgrounds, we took a small yet significant step in the right direction. It demonstrated that despite varying circumstances, there are shared values and aspirations that can serve as a foundation for unity and understanding. Looking ahead, we envision the integration of these insights into larger-scale peacebuilding initiatives. By incorporating activities that resonate deeply with individuals and encouraging personal reflections, we can foster a greater sense of peace within communities. 

  

On a more personal note, this experience taught me the value of engaging with strangers and establishing genuine connections by asking meaningful questions and actively listening. The opportunity to engage directly with the people whose country we had studied, rather than remaining distant observers, was truly extraordinary. If we had simply stayed in Amsterdam, the project would not have unfolded in the same way, nor would it have been as enriching. This experience has opened my heart and mind, making me more receptive to diverse perspectives and enabling personal growth. Most importantly, it has revealed the intricate nature of conflicts, emphasising the importance of empathy and a balanced approach when seeking peaceful resolutions. To anyone embarking on a similar journey, I would encourage you to leave your shyness behind and step out of your comfort zone. By opening yourself up to others, you create an environment that encourages reciprocation.