In a time when everything moves faster and faster, we deliberately chose the slow route. Commissioned by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, we travelled by train — together with a diverse group of participants from different countries — to Rome for the Hope Symposium: a gathering exploring the meaning of hope through the eyes of people from a wide range of backgrounds.

The journey itself was part of the programme. Along the way, there was space for silence, reflection, and connection. Slowing down proved valuable; it gave participants the opportunity to truly arrive — both literally and figuratively.

The three-day programme in Rome was inspiring, dynamic, and intensive. Not a single moment was quiet. Participants engaged in conversation, exchanged ideas, and collaborated in interactive sessions.
We concluded with a warm and personal ceremony that gave the journey a meaningful close.