Bridging the Religious Divide: Transforming Conflict When Emotions and Religion are at Play

Sponsored by the Religions and the Practice of Peace Initiative, Harvard International Negotiation Program, the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School

Dr. Daniel L. Shapiro, founder and director of the Harvard International Negotiation Program and associate professor of Psychology (Harvard Medical School), will discuss hidden emotional factors that fuel conflict and will present an innovative model for using emotions constructively to promote conflict transformation. He will discuss how this model has been utilized in high-stakes conflicts, and will offer insights into how it can be drawn upon to overcome conflict when religious identities are at stake.

Rev. Dr. Septemmy E. Lakawa, of Jakarta Theological Seminary in Indonesia, and current Research Associate and Visiting Assistant Professor of Women's Studies and Theology with the Women’s Studies in Religion Program, will respond in light of her research on "The Landscape of Trauma and the Aesthetic of Interreligious Peace: an Indonesian Case of Christian-Muslim Relations."

Launched by Harvard Divinity School Dean David N. Hempton in 2014, this monthly public series convenes a cross-disciplinary RPP Working Group of faculty, experts, graduate students, and alumni from across Harvard’s Schools and the local area to explore topics and cases in religions and the practice of peace. A diverse array of scholars, leaders, and religious peacebuilders are invited to present and engage with the RPP Working Group and general audience. A light dinner is served and a brief reception follows the program.

More details here.