Kathryn Wasserman Davis Collaborative in Conflict Transformation

Good Talks 2024
September 10th, 7pm
Hillcrest 103
Trust in Democracy

In the Good Talks 2024 event series, each discussion starts with a short overview of the topic from an expert, followed by structured small group conversations. We meet on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Hillcrest 103. RSVPs are not required but will help us plan. Refreshments provided!

In 2011, Syrians took to the streets demanding freedom. Brutal government repression transformed peaceful protests into one of the most devastating conflicts of our times, killing hundreds of thousands and displacing millions. In her new book, Wendy Pearlman (Northwestern University) draws upon hundreds of interviews conducted across more than a decade to probe an intimate and universal question. What is home? Syrians now on five continents share stories of leaving, losing, searching, and finding (or not finding) home.

The US abortion debate is often framed as a binary between pro-life and pro-choice, but according to a 2022 Pew Research Center poll, relatively few Americans take absolutist positions.

In this Good Talks event, Professor Caitlin Myers will offer a brief history and overview of abortion access and reproductive policy, with attention to dynamics in Vermont. Attendees will then join structured small group discussions, followed by a plenary Q&A. Refreshments provided.

Prof. Wei Liang and Prof. Jeff Langholz will be in conversation about their local and global coursework and public engagement focused on water and conflict transformation. They will share personal and professional stories focused on social change, highlighting diverse modalities for engaging with audiences around the world.

Turning the lens of Earth Week to a small ethnic group in the far southwest corner of Ethiopia, Mark Overgaard will discuss his McCone Atrium Gallery exhibit and its parent project – The Eloquent Suri of Ethiopia: People, Culture, Art, Language. His portraits of Suri collaborators are complemented by touching, Suri-created illustrated stories of Suri life and their intimate communion with nature, drawn from literacy primers.

Join the Graduate Pillar of the Kathryn Wasserman Davis Collaborative in Conflict Transformation for a day of dialogue, storytelling, and discussion about conflict transformation at local and global scales - community-based advocacy, countering extremism, environmental conflict, intercultural engagement, peacebuilding, and more. 65 Conflict Transformation Fellows as well as faculty and staff will share in a range of formats about their year-long projects, courses, research, immersive experiences, and community engagement focused on social change.

How do we manage high levels of misinformation and polarization when we talk about politics? Leading economics journalist Adam Davidson (Planet Money, New Yorker, New York Times Magazine) will offer an overview of the challenges and his own experiences. Attendees will then join structured small group discussions, followed by a plenary Q&A.

Elections are a critical aspect of representative government, but self-government requires engagement more than once every few years. In this 2024 election year, this event will get us started talking about democracy by focusing on Vermont’s Town Meeting Day. Vermont’s small size and institutions provide a hopeful model for reinvigorating democracy.

Professor Bert Johnson will offer a brief history and overview of Town Meeting Day in Vermont, Attendees will then join small group discussions about local government and a Q&A session. Refreshments will be served!

Come visit the Conflict Transformation Collaborative offices during Community Hours, Mondays 2-4 pm. Free snacks and drinks, good wifi, a growing library, and conversation with great CT interns and staff! We are in Marbleworks 203 (152 Maple Street).

Come visit the Conflict Transformation Collaborative offices during Community Hours, Mondays 2-4 pm. Free snacks and drinks, good wifi, a growing library, and conversation with great CT interns and staff! We are in Marbleworks 203 (152 Maple Street).