For decades, I travelled the world, from the deepest jungles of Suriname to –50°C in Siberia, from Africa and Latin America to the most remote corners of Asia. Journalism was my passport, curiosity my compass.

Those often challenging journeys taught me something crucial: the world is smaller than we think. So are our differences. Borders, religions, histories, languages and cultures may divide us, but curiosity, creativity and dialogue have the power to reconnect us.

Travel shapes a person. Every encounter challenges us to look beyond our own ‘truth’. Growth begins when we are willing to see the world through someone else’s eyes, when we learn to see and write the Other with a capital O.

Today, my focus has shifted from travelling between cultures to connecting cultures through art, culture and education. That ambition led to the creation of the Art in Motion Foundation (AiM), bringing together people, ideas and generations across borders.

Indonesia, deeply rooted in my youth, holds a special place in this journey. Its history, culture, people and long relationship with the Netherlands continue to inspire many of the projects I am involved in today.

The world is, indeed, a small place. Our challenge is not to emphasize what separates us, but to discover what connects us and inspires us to create together.

Education brings people from different backgrounds and perspectives together. In my role as a university lecturer and mentor, I hope not only to share knowledge, but also to foster mutual understanding, respect and cooperation. Ultimately, education is about preparing the next generation to understand the world and help shape its future.

When our direction is unity, East and West can meet — as can all other points of the compass.

And above all:

Never look back in black and white, because then you will miss the colours of the future.