Powerful Eye Contact Project Aims to Break Down Barriers With Refugees

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“Four minutes of eye contact brings people closer to each other better than everything else.” So goes the theory of psychologist Arthur Aron. Amnesty International Poland put that theory to the test as part of its “Look Beyond Borders” project, which aims to break down barriers between refugees and native Europeans. It produced striking results.

In this video, filmed in Berlin in April, people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds sit opposite each other and stare into each other’s eyes for four minutes, prompting smiles, laughter, and conversation, but also tears from the participants.

Credit: YouTube/Amnesty Poland