NEW: Flagship Report of the Halving Global Violence Task Force

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Bridging Divides: Dialogues on Inclusion and Equality

From fall 2022 to early 2024, Pathfinders has convened a series of insightful dialogues examining the intricate interplay of division, polarization, and disinformation. These discussions delved into how these dynamics manifest across diverse contexts and explored emerging solutions and strategies to foster solidarity and counteract divisive political tactics.

Fall 2022: Madrid, Spain

Workshop on Narratives & Messaging to Build Unity and Promote Solidarity for Just and Inclusive Societies

The first meeting co-hosted with the Spanish Ministry of Equality centered on narratives and messaging, aiming to foster equitable and inclusive societies. This workshop brought together a diverse group of government officials, advisors, thinkers, and communication experts from fifteen countries to address global challenges exacerbated by inequality and division. The focus was on exploring divisive narratives and identifying countermeasures. Participants shared experiences, brainstormed communication strategies, and learned from various country contexts. The workshop emphasized the importance of inclusive narratives to counteract discourses of division and prejudice, thereby fostering unity and progressive changes for a more equal and inclusive society. This exchange marks the first step in a series aimed at building solidarity and delivering visible change.

Spring–Summer 2023: Virtual

“Solidarity in Action” Webinar Series: Countering Divisive Narratives

In continuation of the fall 2022 workshop, the Pathfinders organized a series of virtual deep dive discussions around three emerging sources of division: anti-gender movements, racism, and anti-refugee and migrant sentiments. Inclusive narratives are crucial to countering discourses of division and prejudice, often based on gender, race, and origin. Joined by over 40 experts and practitioners from all regions of the world, this series explored how divisive political strategies are emerging across vastly different contexts, and some of the solutions to counter these tactics and build solidarity among groups.

Fall 2023: Durban, South Africa

Exploring the Linkages Between Inequality, Polarizing Narratives and Violence: Insights and Solutions from Around the World

During the third annual meeting of the Pathfinders’ Halving Global Violence Task Force in Durban, South Africa, co-hosted with the government of South Africa and ACCORD, the Grand Challenge on Inequality and Exclusion hosted a special session focused on exploring the linkages between inequality, polarizing narratives, and violence. With stark inequality leading to political tensions and mistrust in institutions, there's an increasing need to address the complex interplay between economic disparities, political exclusion, and violence. The session aimed to gather political leaders, experts, and civil society representatives for a peer-to-peer exchange of insights and experiences.

Early 2024: Ottawa, Canada

Bridging the Divides: Fostering Pluralism, Inclusion, and Solidarity in a Fragmented World

The Pathfinders co-hosted a high-level roundtable with the Global Center for Pluralism on how to address division across the world. Policymakers, experts, and practitioners from Canada, Indonesia, Spain, and South Africa shared lessons learned from global experiences in building solidarity and belonging across groups, including disrupting disinformation and divisive narratives that seek to polarize and bolster fragmentation.

Bridging the Divides: Fostering Pluralism, Inclusion, and Solidarity in a Fragmented World
Header photo credit: Unsplash/Chris Andrawes