By Kira Andersen and Malene Maxon, Denmark
Denmark, April 2015
Without understanding the nature and ways of our common humanity, forgiveness has no soil in which to grow The conference is supported by local community leaders. Kira Andersen, project leader at Oesthuset, and one of the conference organizers, stated, “recently a local priest said that he has noticed that the work we do with the women in the area has a positive effect and impact upon their children, their families and society as a whole. He feels that it is vitally important to continue to focus on what we share, rather than what separates us.” As part of the program, Feminenza CEO Mary Noble gave the keynote speech titled: “Without understanding the nature and ways of our common humanity, forgiveness has no soil in which to grow.”
Conflicts are on the rise across the globe. Reports of rising violence and abuse are commonplace. Countries including Denmark share in the deep effects of violence on families, friends and colleagues, even ourselves. With a focus on forgiveness and reconciliation, participants of the conference asked, “How to best handle these experiences? Can we learn to forgive? Can the past be reconciled?”