List: Projects Reducing Polarization
The Bridging Differences: A Virtual Summit for Dialogue and Understanding brought a 400-strong tribe of bridge builders to discuss strategies that reduce toxic polarization and promote healthy disagreement.
If you are a bridge builder or just looking to expand your thinking, here are some projects shared by the tribe that you can look to for inspiration/action:
Millennial Action Project (USA) — Re-establishing political cooperation among national and state policy makers to defeat the polarization and gridlock.
Braver Angels (USA) — Through workshops, debates, and campus engagement, Braver Angels helps Americans understand each other beyond stereotypes, form community alliances, and reduce the vitriol that poisons civic culture.
Respect and Rebellion (USA) — Building the town hall of the 21st century across the partisan divide, and encouraging friendships across political differences.
Munk Debates (Toronto, Canada) — Hosting biannual debates and frequent podcasts that convene bright and prominent thinkers such as Malcom Gladwell, Jordan Peterson, Elizabeth May, etc in dialougue about modern issues.
The People’s Supper (USA) — Using shared meals to build trust and connection among people of different identities and perspectives.
One America Movement (USA) — Bringing people together across political, racial and religious divides to work together to address issues in communities across the country, building societal resilience to polarization.
Interfaith Youth Core (USA) — Bringing together students with different faiths, worldviews, and traditions to find common values and execute on social change together.
Crossing Party Lines (USA) — Convening virtual and in-person meet-ups for open dialogue among Americans with dissimilar ideologies to increase tolerance, build communities, and encourage civic engagement.
Living Room Conversations (USA focused) — Providing resources and structure for engaging in friendly yet meaningful conversation with those with whom we may not agree. This includes hosting virtual conversations.
Ben Franklin Circles (USA) — Reviving a 300 year old practice of uniting people diverse perspectives and backrgounds around 13 virtues to strengthen community and self. Historically, these circles have been known to launch initiatives with lasting impact such as post-office and volunteer fire department.
Building Bridgers (Oregon, USA) — Offering a voice for the “Exhausted Majority” that are “Not Left, Not Right. Forward. Together.” through presentations, movie nights, book groups, workshops and classes.
Hearth Community (Oregon, USA) — Facilitating story-telling by communities and enabling active responses to confront related social problems, bridge divisions, and embody a new awareness or understanding.
Narrative 4 (International) — Uniting educators, students and artists who use art and storytelling to build empathy between students while equipping them to improve their communities and the world.
Side Walk Talk (International) — Uniting strangers and teaching them how to connect through utilitarian listening, and create spaces of connection and belonging.
Beyond Differences (USA) — Inspiring students at middle schools nationwide to end social isolation and create a culture of belonging for everyone.
Essential Partners (International) — Helping civic groups, faith communities, colleges, and organizations build resilience, cohesion, and trust across deep divides of values, beliefs, and identities.
Centre for Courage & Renewal (USA) Cultivating leadership to create a more compassionate world, by empowering people to work together to solve pressing, complex problems.
If you are looking more inspiration and resources to bridge divides in your community, click on the resource lists below. Please share any additions or corrections in the comments below.
Originally published at http://emilymacsite.wordpress.com on May 16, 2020.
