Graphic by Lucas Olscamp/The Gazelle

Reflecting back on my time at school, one of my strongest memories is being called idealistic and naïve while expressing my opinions. It seemed baffling to me at the time — how could everyone be so cynical?

Despite the doubt I’ve encountered, I continue to believe that conflicts among people of different races, ethnicities, nationalities and religions are simply examples of problems that emerge from a fragmented conception of existence. Humans are all essentially the same, and lines of division are a result of the workings of our minds and historical circumstances.

Coexistence is becoming somewhat of a trend in the world. Clovis Maksoud, the former ambassador of the League of Arab States to the United Nations, stated that people are less inclined towards dogmatism and intransigence with regard to religion and are putting efforts towards identifying what is common among religions more than what separates them from one another.

We are lucky enough to have a culture of respect and coexistence at NYU Abu Dhabi. However, this coexistence should not be passive. It is not a one-off event or a catchphrase, but a dynamic process in which we all have a share, and the contribution of each individual serves to enrich the whole. We need to have more platforms for meaningful dialogue about universal opportunities and the challenges that affect all of us; discussions that result in a collective vision, constructive action and progress rather than a dispute or the more neutral, “You do your thing, and I’ll do mine.” I like that Maksoud talks about going beyond tolerance and even coexistence; as he says, “I want to be in the process of co-discovery to see what unites and what is diverse. I want to enjoy diversity as an exercise in spiritual inclusion and practice.”

This in no way means letting go of our own individual identities. Sharing our views while we build on each other’s ideas and experiences makes us process our own values in a deeper way and have a more comprehensive view of life. Are we going to stay within our comfort zone in Happiness Island, or can we think about ways to engage with the wider community? While phrases such as “global citizen” have come to inspire a collective eye-roll, I refuse to believe that we can’t actually make a difference in the world.

Reflecting on my time at school, I now see that there is nothing naïve about believing that we can actually do something positive and make a change — it requires courage and effort; in fact, in such a context, cynicism is the easy way out. Through believing in ideals and striving to apply them in our daily lives while starting change from the grassroots of our communities and approaching everything with a learning attitude, coexistence is achievable and the fruits of it within our reach.