Project COMMON BOND: Fostering hope in a time of conflict
When war steals loved ones and sows division, can young people who once saw each other as enemies find common ground? Over one transformative week, young adults from Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Ukraine, Russia, Northern Ireland, the U.S., France, Belgium, and Kosovo proved that it is. Each had lost a loved one to terrorism, war, or mass violence—yet instead of remaining divided by history, they came together, broke down barriers, exchanged stories of loss and resilience, and engaged in powerful sessions on conflict resolution, peace-building, and leadership—all anchored in the practice of dignity.
The conversations were raw and often difficult, yet every participant stayed present. By choosing dignity—listening with empathy and treating one another with respect—they uncovered a profound truth: even across the deepest divides, shared humanity can light the path to peace.
The peaceful setting of Kripalu enhanced this experience, providing us with a safe, open, and calm space for physical, emotional, and transformative healing. On July 4, participants traveled to historic Boston, ending the day beneath a sky filled with fireworks, a moment of shared celebration, joy, and connection.
“I never thought I could sit in the same room with some of the people here. It would have taken years of conflict make that possible. Yet here we are, thanks to PCB, building connections, asking questions, and finding answers we never imagined we’d get”
When the week concluded, our participants left not only with new skills, but also with a profound sense of belonging, connected to a global community of support. Most importantly, they carried with them a renewed sense of hope and belief that even in a world full of conflict, peace can be built - one relationship at a time. These young leaders have returned home equipped to foster peace and dignity, build trust, and spark change in their communities.
💙 Help Us Build More Bridges
Around the world, conflict leaves lasting scars. Programs like Project COMMON BOND equip young people impacted by violence with tools for resilience, leadership, and cross-cultural understanding.
Your partnership makes it possible for these future leaders to return home with the capacity to strengthen communities, reduce conflict, and build a more stable tomorrow.
