Reducing and Preventing Violent Conflict and Violence in the US: What Makes a Good Interaction Between Divided Groups and How to Ensure We “Do No Harm”?

Americans are increasingly reluctant to talk across the political divide. What does the research say about how conservatives and liberals experience communicating across the political divide? Findings from a study show that actual cross-divide conversations occurred only rarely, as participants avoided them out of fear of jeopardizing relationships or reputation. When participants did interact across the divide, the interactions tended to be highly emotional assertions of identity and values rather than rational policy-oriented discussions.

In an already divided context, these interactions contribute to escalating conflict dynamics. Join us to learn about when we should and shouldn’t talk across the divide and when we do talk across the divide, what makes it successful and how we ensure we do no harm.

Speakers:

• Mindy Burrell (Moderator), Democracy and Peacebuilding Specialist

• D.G. Mawn, President, National Association for Community Mediation

• Tim Phillips, Founder and CEO, Beyond Conflict

• Prabha Sankaranarayan, President and CEO, Mediators Beyond Borders International

• Nathan Bomey, USA Today Reporter and Author of Bridge Builders