Religions for Peace’s Multi-Religious Humanitarian Fund Supports Space of Public Activities by Salam Lab

Religions for Peace’s Multi-Religious Humanitarian Fund Supports Space of Public Activities by Salam Lab 

The escalation of conflict in Ukraine has forced millions of civilians to flee their homes, in search of safety, protection, and assistance. In November 2022, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) reported that over 7.8 million people were displaced by the conflict. Humanitarian organisations continue to mobilise on the ground to provide the growing number of people forced to flee with the assistance and resources they need to recover from their trauma and rebuild their lives. 

In Kraków, Poland, the Action for Peace Laboratory Association (Salam Lab), a grantee of the third phase of the Religions for Peace Multi-Religious Humanitarian Fund (MRHF), was able to create safe spaces for all who have been displaced by the conflict. Salam Lab is a non-governmental association based in Kraków, Poland, dedicated to promoting peace through coalition- and cooperation-building between various national and religious communities.   

In May 2022, Salam Lab partnered with local organisations to launch the Space of Public Activities (SPA) – “a unique place of integration, in which we don’t pay attention to what divides us, but to what connects us.” SPA is grounded on the mission of providing people with a community where they feel a sense of belonging, and the rights of every person are respected, regardless of whether they are a resident of Kraków, or a person displaced by war, poverty, abuse, or persecution. Since its establishment, 2,463 people have participated in the events hosted in the safe space of the SPA to recover from trauma, feel a sense of belonging with other participants, and regain some sense of normalcy through various events aimed at cultural, interfaith, and intergenerational exchange of traditions. 

In July 2022, SPA held a culinary workshop on Syrian cuisine led by Ms. Reem Shalhoub, a Syrian woman with refugee experience who has lived in Poland for several years. For many participants, the workshop was not only an opportunity for participants to learn the richness of Syrian cuisine, but also a unique opportunity to learn about Syrian culture. 

 On the first anniversary of the Taliban’s seizure of power on 15 August, SPA convened the Afghanistan one year after Taliban takeover meeting, where over 200 participants learned the daily realities of Afghans one year after the fall of Kabul. Participants heard from the perspectives of Jagoda Grondecka, a journalist and Iranian who specialises in Afghanistan and lives in Kabul; Safia Rabati, an Afghan woman who has lived in Poland for many years and is a Salam Lab employee who supports Afghan families in Kraków; a reporter who fled Afghanistan; and Karol Wilczynski, a journalist and the co-founder of Salam Lab. The meeting was recorded and streamed live on Salam Lab’s Facebook page (Watch the recording of the meeting here). 

Moreover, SPA and Salam Lab supported Michal Zadara’s theatrical production on the humanitarian crisis, entitled Responsibility. The play tells the story of how the state of emergency on the Polish-Belarusian border was created, who maintains it, what rights have been violated, and explores the question of whether accountability can be upheld in the future. By the end of September 2022, the show had been viewed by over 600 people. 

SPA also facilitated intercultural exchange through various educational and artistic workshops. These include workshops where participants embroidered a traditional pattern from a different culture or religion on pieces of fabric, as well as watercolour workshops that allowed free expression and exchange of culture. Participants were able to form relationships based on common traits, traditions, and beliefs.  

Salam Lab continues to provide safe spaces for all who have been displaced by conflict, wars, violence, and poverty through SPA and other initiatives. The work of humanitarian organisations such as Salam Lab serves as a lifeline to millions of people displaced by conflict. Through its flagship Multi-Religious Humanitarian Fund, Religions for Peace is committed to support interfaith initiatives that provide life-saving assistance to millions of people who are affected by conflict and other global crises. We ask that you consider giving a gift today, so that we can continue supporting initiatives that make the world a better place.