welcome hope-less-ness

how to be human in all these crises?

Genocide – Why Is It So Difficult to Name It?

One might assume that identifying and naming atrocities such as genocide would be more straightforward, in our interconnected world, where information spreads instantaneously. Yet, during a recent virtual group discussion, it became evident just how fraught this issue remains. Many of us hesitate to use the term "genocide," and it is so challenging to confront the realities it represents.

This question feels particularly urgent in light of the ongoing international debate: Is Israel committing genocide in Gaza? The tragic events unfolding in the region have reignited global conversations about the term's meaning, thresholds, and political implications. These discussions are deeply polarizing, reflecting both the weight of history and the complexities of applying international law to contemporary conflicts.

Participants worldwide brought diverse perspectives to this sensitive and timely topic. They shared personal experiences, reflections on collective denial and historical trauma, and their struggles to navigate the tension between seeking justice and maintaining dialogue.

This article captures excerpts from those contributions – voices that offer a window into the emotional and intellectual challenges of grappling with genocide as a concept and as a lived reality. In doing so, it invites readers to engage more deeply with this pressing global issue's moral, legal, and human dimensions.

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On Saturday the 7th of December 2024, we had another Worldwork Journalism session (2nd of cycle IV). This time we came together from Kenya, Ukraine, Germany, Spain, Thailand, Switzerland, Finland, Russia, the Netherlands, Australia and the UK. As usual, the co-creative process started with an online Worldwork session (facilitated dialogue) for 30-40 minutes, before everybody captured their own experience in words, and deepened personal high- or downlights by writing and sharing some of the personal story it evoked.

Here are the shared reflections of the ‘world work journalists’ after the facilitated dialogue on ‘Genozide-and the difficulty to name it’.

As a reader, you are also invited to share your perspective on the topics or delve deeper into the aspects discussed by participants, in the comments below.

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Hope-less-ness Stories

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1. The Weight of the World

"I feel deep sadness and also realize it’s important for me that I feel hope in hopelessness; otherwise, I am frozen and desperate to do something." – Philipa
"The whole feeling of frustration, pain, and sadness... takes away all hopes for a better future, or any future actually." – Tanya

In the dialogue, participants opened up about the emotional burden of witnessing global crises. Yet, amidst despair, the collective process revealed glimmers of hope, as group members leaned into their vulnerability and sought meaning in small moments of connection.

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2. Silence and Stillness as a Gateway to Awareness

"At the beginning of our group process, it felt like I was moving through the molasses in the dark... But the stillness was so spacious, as if it was giving extra space and time for different roles to emerge within ourselves." – Marina
"Silence, overwhelming. War, genocide, natural disasters. Everything boils together now in my mind." – Pepa

"Overwhelmed. Wanted to jump in some conversation but the moment isn’t right for my story to connect with over-flowing non-spoken disruption... The ghost role of the Genocide." – Perry

Silence in the group wasn’t always peaceful—it also carried unspoken tensions, historical wounds, and the weight of issues too immense to articulate. Perry’s reflection highlights how stillness can hold complexities, creating space for what cannot yet be spoken.

The group recognized the transformative potential of silence—not as avoidance, but as a space for processing, holding pain, and deepening awareness. In stillness, roles and emotions surfaced, allowing participants to connect with their inner experiences and the collective field.

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3. Bearing Witness: The Complexity of Truth and Responsibility

"Genocide and Gaza—two words that are hard to say aloud... I felt paralysed by shame regarding my inaction, being a privileged witness who has opinions and feelings but isn’t upset enough to join a protest." – Birgitta
"How do we see that ‘Truth’ is hugely a very particular framing used to demonize one and glorify the other? Do we fuel the conflict by siding with a ‘truth,’ or do we promote peace?" – Vlad

Participants grappled with the tension between action and inaction, between taking sides and staying neutral. The dialogue illuminated the complexity of bearing witness to injustice and underscored the responsibility to speak out while remaining open to multiple truths.

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4. Stories That Bridge Pain and Connection

"A Ukrainian woman... showed so much vulnerability and beauty. She managed to go over the edge and share her struggle to be present in one space with the Russian colleague of ours." – Marina
"Each bringing an aspect from their part of the world and life... I became riveted. I love the kindness and wisdoms. Suffering feels like a key; a key to hold many positions." – LS

Personal stories of conflict and resilience became bridges across divides. These moments of raw vulnerability allowed for deep listening and connection, transforming pain into shared understanding.

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5. Small Acts of Humanity: A Glimpse of Healing

"I write out of my ocean some kind words to an old person who did not choose to be alone. And somehow we are for a moment gently connected... It is nourishing the gentle ocean of humanity – like sending postcards from the heart."

Even in the face of immense global challenges, the dialogue reminded us of the power of small acts of kindness. These gestures, while seemingly simple, ripple outwards, fostering connection and sustaining the shared ocean of humanity.

Photo by Mark König on Unsplash

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6. Transforming Pain Through Collective Process

"I was amazed and so grateful for the power of the group because we were not bypassing but really slowly going into the hurt... Sitting together in the fire, processing and transforming, doing healing together." – Marina

My experience is how to feel the atmosphere of the group. It's so difficult because it disturbs my real feelings. I feel so sad with T. when she talks about her family and the conflicts in her life. I stay with that …deepening my understanding tof the feelings of the person in conflicts.

- The heroine’s Inner journey

"In our silences and in our voices, there was a shared care for humanity, a deep commitment to keep seeing others' humanity and dignity, regardless of which side we are on." – Birgitta

Through their collective efforts, participants transformed pain into dialogue, creating a space where healing and hope could emerge. This process acknowledged the world's tragedies and reaffirmed the possibility of a more compassionate future.

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7. The Watchers

“I want to be a bystander

I admit I am ignorant

I am tired and overwhelmed by VUCA world

I hate to be Judged

I am the observer

I protect my own inner peace

I look after my broken pieces

I am aware of my physical limitations

I see peace inside

Also see War rise

Like a Tide of the one Ocean

Falling deep down to transform and rise again

… “

- Beatiful Peace of the Mind

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Closing Reflection

The dialogue highlights the importance of coming together, even in the face of overwhelming challenges, to share stories, hold space for pain, and imagine new possibilities. As one participant noted:

"It takes time to grieve and heal, and it takes a lot of love to be together."

Through such collective efforts, a foundation for hope, resilience, and transformative action can begin to grow.

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Thank you to all Worldwork Journalists involved in this conversation and sharing their personal experience. And a special thanks to Stephanie F. and Perry to joining Cynthia and myself, Stephie B., in editing!

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And you, dear reader, which voice speaks to you? What is this topic and what are our shared voices evoking in you? Is any insight coming up?

We are looking forward to engaging with you in the comment section!

Apart from commenting below, we invite you to read and join the conversation here on Substack regularly by subscribing. We are grateful for every comment, as it enriches our conversations and supports this tender plant's growth.

About 🌏 Worldwork

Worldwork is an application of Processwork also known as process-oriented psychology. As a psychological and conflict-resolution approach developed by Arnold Mindell in the 1970s, it's based on the principles of Jungian psychology, Taoism, and systems theory, and it is used in various settings, including therapy, organizational development, community building, and conflict resolution. At its core, Worldwork aims to explore and understand both individual and collective processes in order to address conflicts, promote personal growth, and create more harmonious relationships within groups and communities. It focuses on bringing awareness to marginalized or ignored perspectives, as well as the deeper layers of consciousness within individuals and groups.

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Editors of this space

Cynthia Wanjihia is a passionate Process Work student as well as a Cyber Security student. She is open minded in world work as well as inter-generational relationships hoping to relate to all and create a safe space to feel heard and share their story.

Stephanie Bachmair (B.ONFIRE/DD Alliance) is a communication enthusiast, facilitator, leadership coach, and process work diplomat. She supports individuals, teams, and organizations to explore and craft their stories, tell them with charisma, relate to their audience, and increase their transformative power through dialogue. 

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