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Veta (left), a 29-year-old from Russia, and Anas, a 27-year-old from Palestine, were two of the participants in “The World Talks” project on June 25. (courtesy of Die Zeit)

Veta is 29 years old. She teaches English in Egypt. She is Russian. She left her home country when it invaded Ukraine. Her conscience would not let her stay in Russia.

Anas is 27 years old. He is Palestinian. His parents lived for years in a refugee camp in Jordan. Now, his family lives in Qatar. He works for a civic organization.

Both condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, they think differently about whether every country around the world should place sanctions on Russia.

Anas, who grew up in a refugee family, believes that any country that invades another deserves sanctions.

However, even though Veta has no desire to return to her home country after its invasion of Ukraine, she does not believe that all countries across the globe should coordinate sanctions on Russia. Such sanctions will only make Russian citizens suffer, she argues, which only plays into Putin’s hands.

The two also disagreed on issues regarding refugees. As someone who grew up as a refugee, Anas believes that all countries should welcome and accept refugees. However, Veta thinks differently. As a migrant living in Egypt, she believes that countries that cannot provide for their own people should not be obliged to take in refugees.

“The World Talks” was organized by the non-profit My Country Talks, and featured people from across the globe taking part in discussions with those whose views differed from their own. (from the My Country Talks website)

The two, who are of different nationalities, live in different countries, and have different opinions, had the opportunity to talk for the first time on Sunday.

They were among 5,100 people from 116 countries around the world who applied to participate in “The World Talks” project. A total of 3,084 people participated in the day of dialogue. Their story, along with those of four other participants, was featured in the German national weekly newspaper, Die Zeit.

Anas believes that the world has changed for the better over the past 20 years, but his Russian interlocutor disagrees. She believes that during the same period, her home country became increasingly oppressive.

However, the two share similar hopes and fears: Both are concerned about climate change and hope for peace in Ukraine and in the Middle East.

Organized by the global nonprofit My Country Talks, this experiment was designed to bring together thousands of people with different views on the world across borders in a single day and time.

On its website, the nonprofit stated that it planned “The World Talks” event so as to help societies around the world “connect over the issues that divide them through dialogue.”

It is an attempt to break down prejudices, for people to empathize, and to find common values through dialogue, in a world where people are becoming increasingly polarized. It could be seen as an effort made by citizens to restore fractured democracy.

The Hankyoreh partnered with My Country Talks for June 25’s “The World Talks” project. (from the My Country Talks website)

Die Zeit did its first run of this experiment in 2017 under the name “Germany Talks.” Ever since, a number of German media outlets have collaborated with the newspaper and tens of thousands of Germans have participated in the project.

My Country Talks is the expansion of that project at a more global scale. As of June 24, 2023, around 240,000 people from more than 30 countries had met one-on-one to exchange perspectives and bridge differences of opinion.

The process is surprisingly simple. Prospective participants answer 10 questions and are matched by an algorithm with someone who thinks differently. The two will have one conversation, either online or offline, at an agreed-upon time and place.

On Sunday’s “The World Talks,” applicants were asked questions about sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, accepting refugees, dealing with climate change, separation of church and state, and improving lives through work.

The Hankyoreh played a role in “The World Talks” as Die Zeit’s partner. Furthermore, on Oct. 11, 2023, Hankyoreh will be the first South Korean media outlet to present a Korean version of “Germany Speaks,” tentatively titled “Korea Speaks,” at the Asia Future Forum.

By Ryu Yi-geun, Hankyoreh Economy & Research Institute senior staff writer

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]