Summerschool impressions
July 6 – 10, 2026, Le Climont, France
Farah, Garo, Jack, Julian, Kaja, Katya, Nathan and Rafi… They study economics, litterature, mechanical engineering, medecine, politics, theology… and come from France, Israël, Norway, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Norway and Germany (Ukrain).
Garo’s impressions of the Summerschool :
« My experience in the summer school program in the Climont region of France was deeply meaningful, inspiring, and unforgettable. The setting itself was part of the gift: calm, green, and beautifully quiet, it gave us a peaceful space to think, listen, learn, and share. Surrounded by students from different countries in Europe and the Middle East, I felt that this was more than just an academic program; it was a real human encounter across cultures, histories, and faith backgrounds. The fact that the students from the Middle East were invited by ACO made the experience even more special, because it created a space where voices from our region could be heard and valued in dialogue with European narratives.
As a Lebanese Armenian from Lebanon, and a member of the Armenian Evangelical Church, I carried my own story into this program with gratitude and humility. I found that the summer school made room for each of us to speak from our own background while also learning from the stories of others. What stood out to me most was the sincere respect among the participants. Even when our histories were different, and sometimes marked by pain or conflict, we listened to each other carefully and with openness. This created a spirit of trust that allowed us to begin building understanding across differences.
Each day of the program brought important topics that were not only intellectually rich but also personally transformative.
On the first day, “We Are Creatures of Narrative,” we reflected on the way human beings understand themselves and others through stories. This helped me realize that narrative is never neutral; it shapes identity, memory, and even how we interpret conflict.
* our talking stick Jean-Pierre gave us to listen to each others stories
The second day, “Talking About Europe: Stories from the Inside and the Outside,” was especially meaningful because it opened space to think about Europe not only as geography or politics, but as a shared human story told from multiple perspectives. This was important for me as someone coming from the Middle East, because it reminded me that Europe and the Middle East have long been connected through history, religion, migration, and cultural exchange.
Another powerful part of the program was the focus on how stories can be used to either divide or heal. The discussions helped us see that narratives can become tools of exclusion, propaganda, and war, but they can also become tools of truth, memory, and reconciliation. I appreciated that we did not only talk about conflict in abstract terms; we examined how storytelling, public speech, and historical memory can shape societies. These conversations were especially relevant in our world today, where misunderstandings between people often grows when one side refuses to hear the story of the other.
The visit to Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg was one of the most memorable moments of the summer school. The castle, standing high above the landscape, was both beautiful and powerful. It seemed to carry the memory of centuries of conflict, restoration, and resilience. Knowing that the castle has witnessed rivalries between rulers, periods of destruction, and later restoration gave the visit a deeper meaning. It was not only a historical site, but also a symbol of how places can hold memory and how history can be preserved without being glorified. Walking through the castle, I felt that it quietly reminded us that even strong walls cannot prevent the suffering of war, but they can later become places of reflection and learning.
The time in the Strasbourg region also gave special depth to our discussions about war and reconciliation. Strasbourg is a place where the layers of European history are visible, especially in relation to the tensions and conflicts between France and Germany. This made it a powerful setting for talking about how narratives of war are remembered, inherited, and sometimes healed. Strasbourg itself seemed to embody the possibility of reconciliation, because it stands in a region that has known division but has also become a symbol of cooperation and unity. For me, this was one of the strongest lessons of the program: reconciliation does not begin by erasing history, but by facing it honestly and then choosing to build something better.
What made the program so valuable was not only the content, but the atmosphere in which it was offered. The calm beauty of Climont, the thoughtful organization, and the careful choice of speakers created an environment where serious reflection could happen naturally. I was especially encouraged by the way each person’s story was treated as worthy of attention. In a world that often reduces people to labels or political categories, this summer school reminded me that every human being carries a narrative that deserves to be heard. That simple but profound truth can change the way we approach education, dialogue, and peacebuilding.
As I look back on this experience, I feel thankful for the opportunity to participate. I return from the summer school with a deeper appreciation for the power of narrative, a greater awareness of the histories that shape Europe and the Middle East, and a renewed conviction that reconciliation is possible when people listen with honesty and empathy. This program was not only an educational journey; it was also a spiritual and human one. It showed me that when people from different regions come together in respect, truth, and openness, they do more than exchange ideas and begin to build peace. »
And some other impressions :
Now is where I want to be. I want to ek-sist, to stand in the world. Be in nature and culture. To grow there, learn and transform. I want to grasp and understand everything even though I can’t.
The week in Climont was a week full of meetings. Meetings of knowledge, people, culture, languages, food, and opinions. The house we stayed in was a beautiful place to facilitate such meetings, with amazing views and beautiful stars at night. In such a scene, we held long conversations about the heavy things and also the light things. We shared and worked on our own stories, and together, we created a week and a new story to remember. Farah
My name is Rafi. I come from Israel, and I am Palestinian. The summer school was an amazing experience for me. I had so much fun getting to know new people, learning where they come from, and hearing how they see the world. It was fascinating to discuss the different problems facing the world today and to debate topics such as faith and politics.
I, today, yesterday, and tomorrow am myself.
I am a clump of complexities thrown in a river rid of water, yet I flow through the path of the river as though its filled.
The human spirit is the primary driver for change, when man stops changing his spirit dies and he becomes a shadow.
Yet, in the shadow of the jasmines I hide, hesitating the next step.
However, the cold winds of the desert force me forward even if I am walking on my knees.
And in the end of the desert, the goddess of the face of morningness looks at me, and when I look in its direction I notice that this goddess is none but my reflection in the river rid of water.
I stand in the years when decisions are taken, where paths are chosen. I am in the place where normally chaos reigns and where you have to clear a path. I am like a man, standing in front of an abyss, but, in front of me, I see the other side. The path is clear; it is the light at the end of the tunnel.
A light sometimes bright, sometimes fading, but nonetheless always there. This light is my goal, my objective: the rule guiding my future and creating my present. This light, this rule, is the fundamental idea of dedicating my strength, intelligence, and capabilities to the community as a whole: to serve the greater good. When an objective gives you purpose, nothing can stand in its way. Nathan
This summer school was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. I am truly grateful to have been part of the ABC-Climont community.
The discussions were inspiring, and the open atmosphere allowed everyone to share their thoughts and feelings freely. Meeting people with different perspectives broadened my horizons, while sharing my own story made the experience even more meaningful. I also made wonderful friends, gained valuable knowledge, and appreciated how well everything was organized.
I will always remember my time at Climont with gratitude. It was much more than a summer school—it was a place of learning, connection, and inspiration that I would highly recommend to anyone. Katya
And thanks to all who made this Summerschool possible !
Alexandra, Camille, Chris, Dany, Isabelle, Jean-Pierre, Kristin, Louis, Mario, Martine, Matthias, Mathieu, Petra, Pierre, Richard, Rueven, Sara …
This summerschool remindend me of what matters most: namely respect and openness for other peoples’s stories. Kaja
I am surrounded by many kind and vastly different people than me and I wish to meet more,… god bless you. Rafi
I’m sitting in a circle and listen to the voices: russian, arabic, armenian, dutch, french, english, norvegian… Voices mixing, people listening, faces lightning, passing borders, opening up a space where we can have a break, invited to go out, leave our daily bubble and be touched, connected to the stories of others : feel the energy emerging, something is searching, resisting, breaking through, someting is happening. The beauty and power of humans. They make us going. We’re not alone. Lifted up. We can stand up and be able to speak and tell the story. Alexandra
ABC-Climont 