As a city where cultures, faiths, and traditions have converged for centuries, the opportunity of visiting Rome, Italy, provided an exceptional setting in which I could further internalize the values of dialogue and shared responsibility that lie within the core of global citizenship. On a more personal level, my time in “The Eternal City” reminded me that there remains much to learn from ancient civilizations. Exploring their historic landmarks, experiencing its prominent cultural heritage, and engaging in vibrant local traditions, including their renowned cuisine, prompted me to reflect on the collective effort, vision, and perseverance that made these enduring achievements possible. Together, the elements stand as powerful testimonies to what human communities can accomplish through sustained collaboration across generations. At the same time, they illustrate how cultural exchange has long been a driving force behind innovation and societal development. Although Rome is not without its contradictions and injustices, its legacy demonstrates that lasting prosperity is built not in isolation: it requires the integration of diverse peoples, ideas, and traditions. This realization reinforced my conviction that addressing the complexities of our own time likewise requires cooperation and openness to different perspectives, always keeping an unwavering commitment to the common good.
Being a member of the 2025-2026 cohort, I had the privilege of engaging in powerful conversations with fellows from all around the world. Through their innovative ideas, personal experiences and insights on humanitarian action, each one of them demonstrated how good intentions can be transformed into concrete actions. Among the many topics that were addressed during our discussions, one that really resonated with me was the concept of synodality. As the etymology of this Greek-derived expression might suggest, it describes the process of “walking together” in the journey of faith, relying on mutual collaboration, mutual discernment, and shared purpose to achieve spiritual growth. I strongly believe that this notion accurately captures the essence of our cohort. Despite our very different backgrounds, we were bonded by a strong desire to improve the lives of those in need. And it is incredible how this common ideal has materialized in various ways: supporting refugee services, advancing scientific research, promoting urban development, strengthening democratic participation, and other countless forms of service. It is certainly reassuring to feel that solidarity is still within the hearts of our generation, especially at a time when division so often dominates the public discourse.
Among the program's most enriching components was the In Your Shoes™ exercise developed by the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University. More than a communication strategy, it invites participants to engage in a genuine effort to listen, understand, and empathize with what others are trying to communicate. Equally important, it encourages the receptive party to articulate their own perspectives, fostering a dialogue grounded in continuous feedback so that genuine understanding is not obscured by rhetoric. Although everyone was initially somewhat hesitant to participate in this activity over Zoom, the process of discovering common ground within such a diverse group and realizing that meaningful agreements can emerge, even when participants hold fundamentally different perspectives, laid the foundation for a community built on respect and intellectual openness. I found this approach to dialogue particularly relevant in today's political landscape, where many people are deeply committed to defending what they perceive as the only truth, often overlooking the fact that each of us interprets reality through a unique lens shaped by unequal life opportunities and experiences. The same lesson can be extended to the field of medicine, where I belong. Modern physicians can become so focused on curing diseases that they overlook the importance of comforting patients. True healing extends beyond treating pathology; it requires listening attentively, understanding each patient's unique circumstances, and recognizing their dignity beyond their diagnosis. Only by combining scientific excellence with genuine empathy can physicians provide genuine care.
The previous reflection naturally led to another invaluable learning opportunity, the "Speaking Across Conflict Workshop" developed by Resetting the Table. During these sessions, we explored how to navigate difficult conversations while remaining receptive to perspectives that are different to our own. For me, it was profoundly intriguing to realize how moments of silence can often be the most eloquent part of a conversation, and how openly acknowledging the ways in which our perspectives differed on a particular issue could serve as the first step toward fostering meaningful dialogue. These and many other subtle yet powerful insights fundamentally reshaped my understanding of communication, reminding me that genuine dialogue begins not with the desire to persuade, but in the willingness to understand. Coming from a country that has borne the burden of armed conflict for more than 50 years, I have witnessed how deeply polarization and unresolved historical grievances can shape the way people relate to one another. In such a context, dialogue is often overshadowed by the impulse to defend one's own narrative rather than to understand the experiences of others. The workshop reminded me that reconciliation, in both local and global scale, can only be obtained by creating spaces where diversity can be expressed, acknowledged, and explored with empathy and mutual respect.
Above all, this program reminded me that global citizenship is not just an ideal to admire or an abstract concept. It requires a constant commitment to the service of others, recognizing that meaningful change is achieved through collaboration rather than individual accomplishment. All of us are called to transform the world, which is only possible if we work together as brothers.
