The Center for Empathy in International Affairs, in collaboration with the European Institute of Peace, held a full day consultation with 18 experienced mediators and experts in Brussels in March 2016. The practical value of empathy in mediation was discussed, as well as its drawbacks and limitations. The experts’ views and insights are captured in our new briefing paper: Changing Minds – Briefing on Empathy in Mediation.
Matt Waldman
On 6 June 2016 CEIA, in collaboration with the Alliance for Peacebuilding, will convene experts and practitioners in Washington DC to discuss the role of empathy in peacebuilding.
Olga Klimecki is a psychologist and neuroscientist specialising in the role of emotions in conflict resolution and the effects of meditation. In this Insight she argues that empathy and compassion can be amplified by training, affecting well-being and behavior.
On Monday 14th March, the United States Institute of Peace, in conjunction with CEIA, will convene a group US diplomats and experts to discuss the role of empathy in conflict resolution.
Simon Baron-Cohen is a Cambridge University professor and one of the world’s leading cognitive neuroscientists. In this CEIA Exchange he shares his thinking on the explanation for human cruelty and reflects on the effect that a lack of empathy has on human behavior.
In collaboration with the European Institute of Peace, on 5 March 2016 CEIA will convene senior mediators and experts in Brussels to discuss the role of empathy in mediation and negotiation.
CEIA will participate in the British Academy conference in London on ‘Empathy neuroscience: translational relevance for conflict resolution’ on 7-8 March 2016.
Rolf Holmboe is a widely respected former Ambassador of Denmark to Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. In this In-Depth article he writes about the role of empathy in avoiding a dangerous disconnect between a possible political settlement for Syria and the realities on the ground. He concludes that in order to achieve stabilization, ‘the focus should be less on what, in our eyes, should be, but on what could be, as seen through the eyes of Syrians.’
Roman Krznaric is a scholar, author of ‘Empathy’ and founder of the Empathy Museum. In this Insight he highlights the key role that empathy has in grassroots peace-building.