RiverViews is a design-based bridging experience created by Connecting Stations, hosted by Rondine Cittadella della Pace, and presented within the framework of YouTopic Fest
Learn more about us below.
Connecting Stations
The current heights of violence, animosity, and hatred fueled by war in the Middle East suppress hope and discourage many from promoting dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis, Arabs and Jews. Despite the tireless work of peace activists in Israel and Palestine, their voices are often overshadowed. Now, more than ever, it is essential to prioritize building empathy, trust, and open communication between these communities—cornerstones of any sustainable peace. Moreover, the experiences and expertise gained in the Middle East could be instrumental in building communication among communities worldwide.
Connecting Stations is a multicultural, interdisciplinary team of designers, artists and educators with diverse research and professional backgrounds that collectively include design, art, game design, architecture, urban planning and digital pedagogy. By creating design-driven experiences that train participants to adopt diverse perspectives and enable alternative communication channels we act as an urgent response to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and beyond.
YouTopic Fest
YouTopic Fest is the international festival on conflict, where citizens, representatives of institutions, entrepreneurs, journalists, academics and artists exchange ideas with young people from all over the world on the characterizing element of the third millennium: conflict.
Enriching dialogues ranging from the inner and interpersonal dimension to intercultural and interreligious issues, up to the highest forms of conflict degeneration: hatred, violence, war.
A space to get involved in new encounters, discussions and relationships, sharing experiences with the young people of Rondine, who every day transform global conflict into an opportunity for personal and collective growth, putting their experience at the service of the common good.
In a small medieval town digitally hyper-connected with the whole world, a wide range of meetings, round tables, workshops, exhibitions, shows, sports and cultural activities, focusing on active citizenship, social innovation, politics, citizen diplomacy, economics, sustainability. A way to face today's great challenges, building peace starting from conflicts and renewed relationships.
Rondine
Rondine is a beautiful Tuscan hamlet hosting a unique educational and training experience since 1997. Its method is based on the creative transformation of conflicts at every level. Here, young people from all over the world learn how to live peacefully together and discover the human being behind their “enemy”, transforming hostility into an opportunity for peace.
While in Rondine, students are trained to set up social-impact projects, establishing new relationships and putting their newly-acquired skills at the service of the Planet.
An alliance for sustainability and the common good.