An essential conversation for our times
Crossing Boundaries:
A Traveller’s Guide to World Peace Tour
Choosing peace is not being neutral, it is the hardest path of all
Hosted by Small Giants in partnership with Work Club Global, Intrepid and Plus 61J Media.
Watch our Melbourne conversation
The current conflict in Israel and Gaza, and the devastating loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives, is beyond heartbreaking.
Why aren’t there more of us coming together to talk, to share, to build bridges, to vision a better future?
To talk about peace. To talk about understanding.
To sit together in grief. To sit together in hope. To learn how to replace fear and hate with love and respect.
Join us in Sydney and Melbourne for a powerful conversation with renowned peace builder, responsible travel innovator, cultural educator and inspirational speaker, Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah.
Experiencing the great loss of his brother at a young age, Aziz’s incredible story of overcoming anger and seeking revenge, and instead choosing love and forgiveness is as beautiful as it is profound. At a time when we’re being asked to choose sides, Aziz’s story and experience helps us to orient towards love and connection over hate and conflict. There’s never been a more critical time for a conversation like this one.
The evening will be welcomed with a musical introduction from Israeli Shai Shriki singing songs of peace, followed by a conversation with Aziz and time for a moderated Q&A session.
Be a part of this critical conversation
| Sydney Event
When?
Tue 28th Nov 2023, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm AEDT
Where?
South Eveleigh, Sydney
When?
Tue 5th Dec 2023, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm AEDT
Where?
Collins Street, Melbourne
| Melbourne Event
A note from Small Giants
We are heartbroken at the current unfolding of events in Israel/Palestine. A home and sacred place for many of us. Our hearts are with our Israeli and Palestinian brothers and sisters. Small Giants has been working on peace initiatives between Israelis and Palestinians for over a decade.
If you join us, we encourage you to come with an open heart, an open mind and an orientation towards peace. This conversation is designed to foster connection, not separation.
"One of the first things I started understanding was that, regardless of what people do to you, you always have the ability to choose a different path”
Aziz is a renowned figure in peace-building and conflict resolution. With experience in over 60 countries, including conflict zones like Afghanistan and Syria, he's made significant contributions to fostering peace and reconciliation.
A Palestinian-born Muslim, as a young boy Aziz’s older brother was arrested by Israeli soldiers on charges of throwing stones, imprisoned and beaten — and died of his injuries. Aziz grew up seeking revenge – but through meeting other Jews whilst studying Hebrew in later life, he had a realisation: they share much in common. Coming face to face with the “enemy” compelled him to find ways to overcome hatred, anger and fear.
Aziz founded MEJDI Tours to send tourists to Jerusalem with two guides, one Jewish and one Palestinian, each offering a different history story – exploring dual narratives, and teaching how to see the other side. Aziz believes that through travel, connecting to one another and seeing each other for who we are is powerful force for shattering sterotypes and promoting understanding, friendship and peace.
Aziz’s work has earned him the titles of National Geographic Explorer and Ted Fellow. He has written opinion pieces for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Al-Quds, Haaretz, and has been published by National Geographic, CNN, TED, and Al Arabiya. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Strategic Centre in Jordan each year since 2010.
Learn more about Aziz
We spoke with Aziz in Issue 34 of Dumbo Feather Magazine. Read Aziz’s story.
Listen to Aziz speak with Sarah Wilson
Listen to our friend Sarah Wilson chat with Aziz on her Podcast, Wild.
Explore Aziz’s book
The ultimate guide for those who want more than just a vacation, but a chance to cross boundaries, connect and make the world a better place.
Aziz’s new book presents the case that travel has the power to heal divides, increase tolerance and make the world a more peaceful place. In this moving and powerful book, Aziz relates his experiences of creating cross-cultural connections in places like Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, Russia, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
Readers are given a road map for engaging with the "other" through socially conscious travel and are given practical peace-building tips applicable wherever one goes—near or far.
Shai Shriki is a vocalist, oud & guitar player, composer and writer of contemporary music with traditional sounds from the Middle East, Hebrew songs and Spanish guitar.
Shai believes that the unique sound of traditional instruments and songs invoke deep emotions and the fusion of cultures with sound similarities, can be a meeting and bridging place for all people to live in harmony alongside.
Born in Israel to a Jewish Moroccan family of musicians, Shai has taken on the traditions and love for music from a young age. Music was always a big part of his life and is the driving force of creativity, expression and joy.
As an Israeli Shai has lived in the long lasting conflict in the Middle East and the longing for a solution, reconciliation and living in peace is a strong wish in his heart. Through the music the meeting place can be achieved by listening and offering at the same time.