From February 1st to 8th, we had the incredible opportunity to participate in the P.E.A.C.E. Youth Exchange (Promoting Empathy, Art & Collective Empowerment) in Würzburg, Germany. We are deeply grateful for the chance to connect with such inspiring individualsand engage in meaningful work that highlighted the power of art as a form of resistance and peace-building.

This is a project that will forever linger in our minds, full of wonderful memories and a community united by art and a love for the world and its wellness. Throughout the week, we explored how art can foster empathy and promote collective empowerment, and it quickly became clear that this exchange was much more than just an artistic journey. It was a space where we confronted sensitive topics, discussed global conflicts, and shared our personal stories—all through the lens of non-violent communication and creative expression.

One of the most powerful lessons we learned was that art is not limited to traditional forms like drawing or painting. Art can take many shapes and serve as a tool for protest, empowerment, and social change. We experimented with various mediums, including e-zines, and explored how creative expression can give a voice to marginalized groups, amplifying their struggles and inspiring solidarity.

Additionally, we learned more about other realities that are not as close to us as Portuguese citizens, such as the Palestine conflict. The activities we were involved in prompted us to discuss concepts like peace and resistance in greater depth—concepts that are not universal, as their meaning varies with each individual’s lived experience.

The sense of community that we built throughout the week was also transformative. Despite coming from diverse backgrounds and having different experiences, we were united in our shared commitment to using art to foster peace and understanding. The collective mural, created by everyone at the end of the week, became a symbol of unity—a powerful reminder of the change we can bring to the world when we work together.

On a personal level, this experience made us reflect on the privileges we hold, particularly the peace we’ve known in Portugal, compared to the challenges others face. Connecting with the participants and hearing their stories opened our eyes to the realities many people face daily. Their resilience and dreams have inspired us to continue using art to advocate for change in our own communities.

Mónica, one of the Portuguese girls in our group, conducted an artistic workshop aimed at raising awareness about the materials surrounding us by encouraging people to see the higher value in trash, turning it into their own jewelry pieces. The results were mesmerizing (see the pictures below!).

As the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa once wrote, “I have all the dreams in the world in me.” We leave this exchange with a renewed sense of purpose and a deep commitment to using art as a tool for peace, empowerment, and collective transformation.