Our Approach

Beyond Conflict began to integrate research from brain and behavioral science into our shared experience model of conflict resolution and transformation in 2010. After decades of work to promote peace and reconciliation, we struggled to understand why so many conflicts remained intractable and why so many peace agreements remained fragile in the aftermath of seemingly successful negotiation processes. In questioning what we missing about the human experience of conflict, we came to recognize that brain and behavioral science offered a powerful, paradigm-shifting new lens that allows us to better understand human nature and the often unconscious forces that help shape and sustain conflict and division.

Science-Informed Design

The Shared Experience Model

In 1992, Beyond Conflict (then called ‘The Project on Justice in Times of Transition’) developed a simple yet powerful methodology of shared experience to assist leaders in divided societies struggling with conflict, reconciliation, and societal change. It is grounded in two core principles: that people can learn from each other, and that people can change. This methodology stems from the insight that on a biological, emotional, and psychological level, humans have many of the same response mechanisms to the formative experiences of their lives. While it is true that every country has its own unique national experience and history, how people around the world respond to the terrifying, humiliating, and dehumanizing experience of life under dictatorship or during civil war is fundamentally the same. By bringing leaders from countries around the world together to share their experiences in addressing conflict or repression with their counterparts in a country grappling with similar challenges, Beyond Conflict has helped build trust between once bitter enemies in seemingly intractable conflicts and given leaders the courage to introduce changes key to generating peace.