“Beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” - RUMI

In other words, people can transcend dualities such as right and wrong, good and evil, and self and other, and thereby attain a higher level of awareness and understanding.

I wanted to begin with this powerful quote from Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, known in Türkiye as Mevlânâ (Arabic for “our master”), because it beautifully captures the value of cross-cultural interaction. Rumi himself embodied the richness of multiple cultures: he was born in present-day Afghanistan, wrote in Persian, and lived and died in present-day Türkiye.

Growing up in Türkiye and now having built my life in Slovenia, this message resonates with me more than ever. Living and working across cultures has taught me that genuine collaboration does not happen within the boundaries of what we already know, but rather in that shared “field” where different perspectives meet without judgment. An international mindset is not merely about speaking different languages or understanding different customs; it is about the willingness to step beyond assumptions, listen with curiosity, and discover common ground while celebrating diversity.

In today's global workplace, this is where cooperation flourishes and meaningful exchange takes place. It is where we focus less on our differences and more on what unites us, ultimately making us stronger together.

In my role as an Event Coordinator at the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF), I am grateful for the opportunity to engage with colleagues, experts, and participants from across the CEF constituency and the wider region. Every conversation, whether formal or informal—offers a chance to learn something new, appreciate different perspectives, and recognize the many similarities that connect us. These encounters continually remind me of the value of openness, mutual respect, and lifelong learning.

In many ways, I see these interactions as opportunities to meet in Rumi’s metaphorical “field”—a place beyond divisions and assumptions, where there is no “us” or “them,” but rather a shared commitment to understanding, collaboration, and growth. One of the things I value most about CEF is its international environment. It is a place where colleagues and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds come together to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and demonstrate that meaningful cooperation begins when we are willing to meet each other in that common field.

To conclude, I would like to leave you with another quote often associated with Mevlânâ’s message of openness and inclusion:

“Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving—it doesn’t matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again, come, come.”

This spirit of openness, curiosity, and connection is what makes international cooperation so valuable—and what continues to make the CEF community such a welcoming place to learn, share, and grow together.

You are always welcome to the CEF.