Jesus, Spain

«Participating in MED25 on the Beautiful Hope It was one of the most — if not the most — significant experiences of my life.

I arrived with many questions: is real change possible, especially in matters of peace and social justice? What is my own path? And I had a deep need for connection and renewal. I also came with the hope of meeting people from the other shores of the Mediterranean, attracted by the idea of a «school-ship for peace» and eager to understand their realities, their histories, and their hopes.

The boat has become a space for encounter, honesty, and transformation.

One of the greatest gifts of MED25 was to discover the richness that arises when people from different shores of the Mediterranean truly meet. Listening to stories marked by hope, struggle, faith, and uncertainty deeply touched me. I saw how our place of birth shapes our opportunities, our freedoms, and our security. Understanding that we do not all share the same rights or the same dignity simply because we were born on one side or the other of the sea has become a tangible, personal reality that is impossible to ignore. On the Beautiful Hope, This has taken on a face.

At the same time, I discovered how much we resemble one another. We all carry wounds, families we love, fears for the future, and dreams of a better world. Living so close to one another — sharing meals, storms, laughter, silence, and the tasks of navigation — helped me put myself in the place of others, let go of my judgments, and welcome everyone as they are. This human connection seemed to be one of the first concrete steps towards peace.

I have also rediscovered a deeper way of listening: hearing someone’s story without rushing to respond, welcoming the other’s pain without trying to «fix» it, simply being present. MED25 taught me that peace, whether in the Mediterranean or in my daily life, begins with presence, humility, compassion, and the courage to truly see the person in front of me.

The boat also touched me with its simplicity: the shared silence, the rhythm of the sails, the sea at dawn. The sea has become for me a symbol of our interdependence: it separates us, but it also connects us, carrying our stories and our hopes. It is, in a way, our common home.

What I bring into my daily life can be summarized in five commitments:

• Cultivate silence and inner peace
• Welcoming others without judgment
• Treat everyone with empathy and a spirit of service
• Living more simply and caring for the environment
• Building small bridges wherever I can

The dream that all of us can share the same rights, the same dignity and the same opportunities may seem utopian, but after this experience, I believe more than ever that it begins with simple encounters like ours. Peace comes from listening, sharing life, and the courage to recognize in every person a brother or sister.

Thanks MED25 for the journey, the friendship, the vulnerability and the beauty we shared.»

Jesus