Breaking the Silence: Interest-Based, Nonviolent Dialogue to Disrupt the Cycle of Violence, Middle East Focus

As an institution committed to preventing, de-escalating, managing, resolving, and transforming conflicts into opportunities for positive change, we recognize our global responsibility to contribute to a peaceful world by championing the autonomy and respect of every individual. Against this backdrop, we’re proud to host Breaking the Silence: Interest-Based, Nonviolent Dialogue to Disrupt the Cycle of Violence, Middle East. This virtual event aimed to bring forth interest-based perspectives that may otherwise go unheard, amplify voices for peace, and create a safe platform for all to share. We acknowledge the pain and suffering of all individuals trapped in this conflict. It is time to lay the foundation for peace.

1. Keynote Address by Alain Lempereur: April 11th, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:20 PM (U.S. Eastern Time)

2. Panel Discussion: April 18th, 2024, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (U.S. Eastern Time). Panelists: Orit Asnin, RAMSEY TEWFIK ISAK, and Joshua Weiss

3. Closing Keynote Address by Robi Damelin: April 25th, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:20 PM (U.S. Eastern Time)

This event strives to bring forth voices that may otherwise go unheard, amplifying the perspectives of those deserving acknowledgment. Through communication, we gain insight into each other's fears, interests, needs, and future aspirations. Harmonious coexistence is achievable but requires goodwill and a genuine understanding of each other.

In the face of global reality, where over 79 countries have experienced or are experiencing heightened levels of conflict, maintaining silence is not an option. Neither is the discourse of one party against the other. Every passing second of our silence, lives are lost in Palestine, Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other locales from the staggering 98% surge in global conflicts, resulting in the forceful displacement of over 100 million people, leaving more than 333 million individuals worldwide grappling with acute hunger.

Throughout history, there’s zero conflict settled through military means; instead, by some sort of a negotiated agreement. Yet, the global military budget increased by 3.7%, reaching an unprecedented $2.240 billion. Yet the global peace budget dwindled to just 0.4% of military spending. It’s time to rethink our intervention. It starts here, with you.

And every talk for one party against the other only results in the intensification of the pain to the harmless victims trapped in the war. We cannot allow this to persist. We believe peace and harmonious coexistence are achievable through an open, interest-based dialogue. Following a compassionate curiosity framework free from judgment and aimed at fostering understanding and compassion. A framework that validates and acknowledges the emotions of all parties and joint problem-solving.

By adopting a framework that separates people from the problem, we hope to create space for curiosity with compassion while validating and acknowledging emotions, fear, and the underlying interests behind the fear. The ask of conflicting parties (direct or indirect parties) and the justification behind the ask. We recognize that when emotion and bias dominate, our ability to listen diminishes, blocking us from gaining insight into each other's fears, interests, needs, current situations, and future aspirations. Yet true peace requires seeing, hearing, and talking to each other with compassion.

Our expert speakers will explore the principles underlying interest-based dialogue, practical tools, and techniques for compassionate and nonviolent communication. It sees humanity in everyone and looks beyond position. Although a wise outcome in every form of dialogue is assured by adopting an interest-based approach, this is not easy. They will address factors that make it difficult, such as grief and selective empathy, and will provide you with practical tools you can use to become emotionally intelligent.

Program Description

Coexistence is not an elusive dream; it is within reach. Necessitating goodwill and a genuine effort to understand one another. It is crucial for trust building, which is a key to peaceful coexistence.

By focusing on interests rather than positions, we aim to unite everyone, creating a platform and skills to engage in a meaningful dialogue With a sincere willingness to address societal issues collectively. And we invite you to be part of this transformative event.

Let us initiate and nurture trust, laying the foundation for a future where voices are heard, conflicts are resolved with dignity, and peace becomes a shared reality. Let's bridge the voices for peace together and create a world where dialogue triumphs over discord.

Commencement Keynote Address: April 11th, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:20 PM (U.S. Eastern Time)

Speaker: Professor Alain Lempereur, PhD:

• He’s Alan B. Slifka Professor at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management (on sabbatical leave), where he served as director of the Conflict Resolution & Coexistence Program. He’s a Chair in Leadership and Negotiation at the European University Institute in Florence

  Prof. Alain is an affiliate Faculty and Executive Committee Member of a Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, a Core Faculty member of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and the Negotiation Lead for the UN Global Executive Leadership Initiative. He plays a crucial role in shaping global leadership in humanitarian efforts.

  With over three decades of experience, Alain is a consultant and executive trainer for international organizations, national governments, global consulting firms, and corporations across 70 countries. He spearheaded negotiation and leadership initiatives in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. He was the founding director of IRENÉ, a European negotiation institute, where he provided leadership for 15 years at ESSEC Business School.

Panel Discussion: April 18th, 2024, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (U.S. Eastern Time)

Panelist

• Orit Asnin:

  Adv. Orit Asnin is an independent full-time mediator, one of Israel’s most experienced and leading mediators. Previously a commercial lawyer. Since 1999, she has mediated thousands of local and international conflicts involving public and private entities, government and local authorities, international and multinational corporations, family businesses, and individuals. Orit Asnin has vast experience in mediating commercial conflicts of multifaceted and highly sensitive situations, some with extreme cross-cultural differences and some with multiple parties.

  Orit is a Distinguished Fellow and a member of the Board of Governors of the IAM - The International Academy of Mediators. Orit is ranked in the Chambers and Partners ranking for

  Global Israel Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and Mediation. Orit Asnin is highly involved in promoting the use of mediation globally, and she is frequently invited to speak in international legal, mediation, and business forums.

  Orit Asnin is one of Israel’s pioneers in mediation. Her daily mediations since the late 90s, as well as her public volunteering engagements in the Israeli Bar, have contributed significantly to the widespread and everyday use of mediation in Israel.

• Joshua (Josh) Weiss:

  Co-founder of the Global Negotiation Initiative at Harvard University. Senior Fellow at the Harvard Negotiation Project & The director and creator of the master of science degree in leadership and negotiation at Bay Path University.

• Ramsey Tewfik Isak:

  Ramsey Tewfik Isak is a Multicultural Negotiation Facilitator, skilled in mediation and interpretation between Arabic and English. His expertise lies in understanding the nuanced impact of language and culture on negotiations, focusing on bridging divides and fostering constructive dialogue.

  His unique approach can be characterized as transformative, moving beyond polarizing viewpoints to facilitate unified action. This methodology has evolved through his experiences with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and subsequent independent work in humanitarian efforts within conflict-ridden regions of the Middle East.

  In his role, Ramsey engages with diverse stakeholders, including civilian and security entities, employing creativity, respect, and an interest-based framework to navigate toward mutually beneficial outcomes. His success lies in his ability to reconcile seemingly irreconcilable positions, fostering win-win solutions amidst complex and challenging circumstances.

Closing Keynote Address: April 25th, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:20 PM (U.S. Eastern Time)

Speaker : Robi Damelin:

• Israeli spokesperson and Director of International Relations for the Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF), a group of over 600 Israeli and Palestinian families who have lost close family members to the conflict. They work together for reconciliation and a just resolution to the conflict. Robi’s son, David, was killed by a Palestinian sniper in March of 2002 while he was guarding a checkpoint near a settlement during his army reserve service. Since becoming active in the Parents Circle, Robi has spoken worldwide, including to thousands of Israelis and Palestinians, to demand that reconciliation be a part of any peace agreement.

  She was named a 2015 Woman of Impact by Women in the World. In 2014, she was selected by the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice as one of four Women PeaceMakers. She is the protagonist featured in the documentary One Day after Peace. She has spoken at various Women in the World events, including Royal Albert Hall with Marcus Mumford, and at European, Spanish, and Canadian Parliament.