For the first time, the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation conducted the «Colours of Peace» project in Trogen last August, which tackled pivotal themes of identity, freedom and human rights in different ways. Even though the workshops completed by around 40 young people from the Middle East and Switzerland were different, they all had something in common: They were colourful. Literally and figuratively.

«For example, in a workshop we were inspired by a fellow artist collective and painted the spectrum from non-peace to peace with the corresponding colours: from grey to brightly coloured», remembers Daniel Zuberbühler, Project Officer for Intercultural Exchange Projects of the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation, and one of the project managers. The goal for these interactive and creative art projects was to engage in your own interpretation of this dichotomy in a unique and artistic way. As a result, the young people reflected on their own reality, deconstructed certain patterns and their own engrained behaviour. They discussed their new insights and finally, integrated these into their way of life.

Although «Colours of Peace» also focused on having fun, the participants who took on the role of «Agents of Change», were urged to discuss the demanding, societal challenges in their home countries, and based on this, to work on their joint visions for the future. These began in a dreamy utopia, and resulted in tangible plans of action. Tangible, as these plans were implemented at home after the end of the project that was organised in cooperation with the John Paul II Foundation and with financial support from Movetia. Zuberbühler says, «The young people should be aware of the privilege they have, being able to learn in the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation, and act as disseminators of these experiences in the real world».