Berlin conference challenges historical narratives of war and identity
A recent conference in Berlin brought together young people from nations once locked in deadly conflict. Held eighty years after Germany’s darkest era, the event aimed to explore shared histories and possible paths toward reconciliation. For one participant, the experience became a turning point, reshaping long-held views about identity, victimhood, and the Middle East’s future.
The conference asked each attendee to describe their country’s central narrative about World War II. Most young Europeans framed their national identity around victimhood, focusing on suffering rather than aggression. This pattern mirrored the Israeli-Jewish perspective, which often centres on the Holocaust and Jewish persecution. Yet, as discussions unfolded, it became clear that such narratives could overshadow other histories—including the persecution of groups beyond Jews.
The Berlin conference left participants with more than shared stories. It revealed how deeply historical narratives shape present conflicts—and how rarely those narratives are questioned. For the author, the experience was a call to look beyond entrenched perspectives, recognising that reconciliation begins with listening.
