How to spark unlikely conversations about peace
This article was written in partnership with Shared_Studios
In ecology, the edge effect describes the changes that happen when two ecosystems meet. Edges are where the most new life-forms are created. Take the example of the Amazon, where the savannah and the rainforest meet and create one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.
A similar phenomenon exists in society: the point at which diverse lives intersect. This point of convergence has the potential to create challenges and conflict. However, if the conditions of these spaces are correct, these edges can be some of the most powerful spaces to spark conversations, heightening empathy, inspiration and creativity.
Over the past five years, Shared_Studios has developed a methodology for creating encounters that bring people together across distance for transformative conversations that challenge assumptions, open minds, and inspire action. This year, we joined forces with the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UN DPPA) for a series of dialogue sessions that connect communities from Afghanistan, Bolivia, Iraq, Rwanda and Uganda. “Talking Peace” is one of those artfully curated edges that brings together peacebuilders, designers, grassroots activists and innovators to share local realities and accelerate thinking about a more peaceful future.
While it might seem counterintuitive to plan for an unlikely conversation, we have found that preparation is everything. Here are our suggested five steps to make those improbable dialogues happen:
1. Articulate the purpose of the conversation
The first step for designing unlikely conversations is getting clear on the purpose of the conversation. It is important to be as specific as possible here. Rather than describing the topic of the conversation, inquire about what you want to achieve. Knowing your goal allows you to push the conversation into unlikely places while ensuring that those moments of unexpected discovery serve the larger purpose of the conversation. We like to think of conversations as jazz performances: spaces for free flowing improvisation within the framework of a song.
For Talking Peace, our goals were to a) challenge traditional ways of peacebuilding and peacemaking; b) provide the UN niche and underrepresented perspectives on existing narratives; c) inspire participants to think of their work from new angles; and d) create networks between participants working at local levels in their respective fields. The framework of this purpose provided a structure and focus that gave us creative freedom to dive deeper into how to bring to life each of these goals.
2. Explore unique ways to frame ideas
Designing a dynamic and insightful conversation is less about the topic of the discussion, but more about the approach. We usually start with expert interviews to better understand what we will be talking about. From there, we take our gathered inspiration and challenge ourselves to think about the topic through multiple different lenses, permutations, and combinations.
For example, the field of UN DPPA-led peacemaking typically approaches conversations about peace through the lens of high-level negotiation and diplomacy. In order to push the boundaries of the status quo, we spoke with local community organizers and change makers from various conflict communities to learn more about distinctive cultural, historical and political contexts. Through gathering research-based inspiration, we uncovered unique angles of approaching conflict prevention, peacemaking and peacebuilding thinking about how pop culture can affect norms of peace, how mobility can prevent conflict and how new technologies can enable dialogue.
3. Invite diverse perspectives
Echo chambers where beliefs are amplified or reinforced usually lead to conventional conversations and traditional solutions. In order to step out of them, we must choose to integrate with varied perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, such as artists and CEOs; government leaders and refugees. These unique ingredients, combined with one another, are essential to creating edges that yield unexpected new ideas and outcomes.
For Talking Peace, we asked ourselves: what voices are not currently being heard in traditional peacebuilding initiatives that could add a unique dimension to the conversation? This question led us to a Rwandan soap opera initiative that has succeeded in changing social norms around peace and conflict prevention; a Ugandan rapper and photographer who led a social media campaign to encourage peaceful elections; an Afghan artist collective converting blasted walls into beautiful murals; Bolivian transportation innovators who have created an aerial cable car to increase women’s mobility; and Iraqi youth who are using sports as a means to social cohesion. Rarely do these changemakers get the opportunity to meet, exchange and learn from one other — and we made it happen.
4. Consider how space shapes experiences
The space in which a conversation takes place has a powerful influence over the way people interact within it. It is important to focus on how to bring people together through technology without losing the intimacy of an in-person connection. We believe that the most critical part of facilitating interactions in the virtual space is making the technology invisible and fostering human connection among the participants.
One of the ways we bring together unlikely groups in face-to-face dialogues is through the Shared_Studios portals (see photo above), gold spaces equipped with immersive technology that make you feel like you’re in the same room with someone else in a different part of the world. The ability to see someone full-body, look them in the eye, and converse without any technical encumbrance creates the conducive conditions to facilitate meaningful human connection.
When participants are invested and curious about one another, conversations flow. In order to create that connection, we structure our virtual conversations by starting with the informative and culminating in the investigative. This allows people to warm up and get comfortable by talking about simple questions before moving into more open ended questions and deeper topics. We also invite participants to contribute to the conversation questions that they are curious about, which creates the space for them to become part of managing the process in addition to the moderator.
5. Create an environment that invites bravery
Bringing together strangers from different backgrounds, convictions, and opinions is challenging. What we learnt is that unlikely conversations need brave spaces, as opposed to safe spaces. Genuine dialogue is nurtured by courage rather than the illusion of safety. In order to foster these brave spaces, we begin on common ground, focus on interests versus positions, ask open-ended questions, acknowledge other points of view, and invite participants to lean into discomfort. Our moderators and facilitators are trained to ensure participants with different backgrounds, convictions and opinions respect each other as individuals, and are prepared to listen to one another deeply enough to inspire collective learning and intimate human connection.
Another crucial element to establishing brave spaces is thinking critically about who is in the room. We’ve learned that power dynamics inhibit bravery and that peer-to-peer dialogue creates a more intimate, open environment for people to share honestly. For this reason, we decided not to include UN officials in the actual Talking Peace conversations. Having neutral moderators and no UN presence creates an environment that leads to more unbiased communication. After the conversations have been completed, we made sure to share highlights and insights with our UN colleagues.
In the COVID-19 and social distancing era, meaningful dialogue is becoming increasingly rare. Social media algorithms and rising digital polarization continue to fuel a culture of black-and-white thinking, which makes unconventional conversations more important now than ever. Creating moments of disruption is crucial in the endeavor towards constant change and peace. The question is, are you ready? Because the opportunities to create edges and spark unlikely conversations is just five steps away.
Find out more about the “Talking Peace” series on https://www.talkingpeace.events/.
“Futuring Peace” is an online magazine published by the Innovation Cell of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UN DPPA). We explore cross-cutting approaches to conflict prevention, peacemaking and peacebuilding for a more peaceful future worldwide.
