The Institute for Peace Education in Tuebingen, partner organisation of Peace Boat's Global University, with Gesellschaft fuer Technische Zusammenarbeit (gtz) sponsored an international conference bringing together experts from Germany and abroad to address the possibilities and limits for arranged encounters and dialogues to serve as a method for peace education, intercultural learning and development issues. Held this year for the third time, this conference particularly focused on participants’ experiences with different learning arrangements for encounters between youth from different backgrounds as well as between members of conflict parties in difficult conflicts.

Jasna Bastic, coordinator of Peace Boat's International Students Programme, participated in the inspiring conference. Drawing participants and case studies from Palestine, Israel, Sri Lanka and beyond, it was an invaluable opportunity for both peace education theorists and practioners to discuss goals and methodologies, and ways to work together to further peace education both in Germany and worldwide.