The Voices of War

‘The Voices Of War’ is guided by a simple vision—to scratch below the simple narratives of war. To do this, I speak with refugees, soldiers, negotiators, academics, development workers, and anyone else whose life has been shaped by war, be they a survivor, a perpetrator, a mediator, a student, or a healer of it. Ultimately, I want to make it lucid that neither war nor peace is a foregone conclusion. Both are a product of upstream causes that make one or the other more likely. Understanding and embracing this fact is critical when trying to find moral and ethical solutions to our many local, regional, and global challenges. —– The project, ’The Voices of War’, aims to challenge the traditional narratives of war by giving a voice to those who have experienced its complexities firsthand. These voices come from a diverse group of individuals, including refugees, soldiers, negotiators, academics, development workers, and anyone else whose life has been impacted by war. Through these interviews, I hope to shed light on the complex causes of conflict and the multifaceted experiences of those caught in the crossfire. War and peace are not predetermined outcomes. Rather, they are the result of a range of political, economic, social, and cultural factors. By exploring the root causes of conflict, I hope to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities of war and the factors that contribute to it. One of the key themes that emerges from the interviews is the human toll of war. From the trauma experienced by refugees to the moral dilemmas faced by soldiers, the voices of war offer a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of conflict on individuals and communities. At the same time, however, the voices of war also offer hope and resilience. Despite the devastating effects of conflict, many of those I spoke with have found ways to heal, rebuild, and move forward. Whether through professional engagement, volunteering, community building, or simply persevering in the face of adversity, these individuals serve as a source of inspiration for us all. Ultimately, ’The Voices of War’ seeks to challenge the dominant narratives of conflict and offer a more nuanced understanding of its complexities. By amplifying the voices of those who have explored its complexities in one way or another, I hope to contribute to a more informed and empathetic conversation about the causes and consequences of conflict.