Teach Students to Bridge Differences
Young activists need conflict resolution skills to change the world
By Shamil Idriss
U.S. News & World Report
June 13, 2024
"...For many students, the college campus is the most diverse community they will ever call their own – racially, religiously, ethnically, politically, ideologically, geographically and often in many other ways…
“Every great social movement has been driven by the passion of young people, and herein lies the power of the college campus to serve as an incubator for a generation of future leaders who can reinvigorate our democracy, rather than threaten it.
“We can walk back from this boiling point, but to do so, colleges need to bring a whole-of-institution approach to equip students to lead us to a better future…
“Colleges should ensure that every undergraduate develops the temperament and skills to participate in constructive dialogue about divisive topics…
“Invite students to lead collaboratively across campus. College administrators and faculty should assiduously cultivate and facilitate inter-communal discussions, problem-solving and relationship-building across the student demographics that predictably clash during times of heightened tension…
“It is up to us whether we allow the ongoing campus clashes over the war in the Middle East to serve as one more depressing signal that we are not up to the challenge, or rather as a wake-up call to support young Americans to lead us to a better future."
Shamil Idriss is a former United Nations official and the CEO of Search for Common Ground, a global nonprofit peacebuilding organization.
About Heart of a Nation
Empowering the next generation of American, Israeli, and Palestinian change-makers to embrace better, together.
אנחנו מכנסים הוגים מובילים, פעילים חברתיים, ומחוללי שינוי לעתיד, אמריקאים, ישראלים ופלסטינאים, המחויבים לשיפור החברות שלהם.
نحن أمريكيون وإسرائيليون وفلسطينيون نبني ونكوّن روابط من أجل التعلم والتفكير والمشاركة معًا حتى نشجع الحلول التقدمية بشأن القضايا التي تهمنا جميعًا.