Haifaa Awad

Hey There!

My name is Haifaa, I am 24 of Syrian background and student at the University of Copenhagen.

My interest in dialogue got intensified last year during travels to the Middle East where I participated in dialogue workshops all over the region. And it hit me how urgent the need for dialogue in general is, not only on international level, but more urgent between individuals from different cultures and parts of the world!

As a girl having a different ethnic background in Denmark I have encountered many situations where this duality in my identity did become an issue.

Generated by fear, ignorance and negative stereotyping the inclusion between different classes in society, between generations and even between nations is being negatively affected.

Even if we are living in a little global village and communication has never been easier, we do not communicate! Negative stereotypes, racism, discrimination , wars and conflicts are still a part of the news and our daily lives!

And that is my reason for participating in this new phase of the Dialogue Ambassadors. I hope I can contribute in promoting dialogue between different countries and youth across the Middle East and Denmark.

Addressing the need and importance for dialogue is the most important aim of this project- and I am sure that today’s youth is the best tool for promoting intercultural dialogue.

Dialogue is more than the mere recognition and respect for the others' point of view! It is the awareness of how we construct our perception of reality, an awareness that can foster deeper understanding between people and common work towards equality.

- Haifa Awad