Roundtable Breakfast -Dealing with Differences

DEALING WITH DIFFERENCES: 

Online Cross-Cultural Dialogue

Claudia Maffetone

The world is more interdependent than ever before and the challenges of the 21st Century, whether they pertain to the environment, the economy or our security, will require multilateral solutions. It is critical, therefore, to provide the next generations with the skills they need to collaboratively address these challenges.

Over the last ten years, Soliya, an international non-profit organization and implementing partner of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, has been fostering understanding among diverse societies through intercultural dialogue and ODR. Soliya's flagship program, the Connect Program, brings students in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States on an online platform to discuss a number of issues and foster better understanding and long lasting relationships across divides. The online Facilitation Training and Practicum provides trainees with conflict resolution and facilitation skills applicable in a variety of professional settings and the opportunity to practice them with real groups. For the past couple of years, Soliya has been partnering with the MIT Neuroscience Saxe Lab to scientifically measure the impact of its programs. The findings of the latest research round have been really impressive, especially in relation to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.

This presentation will discuss the opportunities and challenges offered by online intercultural exchange and training in the current higher education and ADR landscape. The presenter will talk about Soliya’s programs and highlight partnership, training and engagement opportunities for attendants. Participants will be ultimately involved in a small group exercise that is normally held online as part of the Connect Program.