The Concord Project is an international research, teaching, and action program whose mission is to strengthen “concord organizations,” which bring together people with fundamentally opposing views or identities for the purpose of promoting civil society while recognizing group differences.
- In research, the Project identifies, nationally and internationally, public and private concord organizations and investigates the characteristics that make them successful at creating “bridging social capital”– the human and organizational resources that span social differences. Ongoing research includes social and economic development and redevelopment strategies in divided communities. It also explores the development of political, economic, and organizational infrastructure and public policy for common futures and peaceful coexistence.
- In teaching, the Project initiates courses on conflict mediation in civil society and organizes concord-related talks in the graduate programs of the UCLA School of Public Affairs. It also provides executive education for nonprofit, NGO, public, private, and media leaders in divided communities.
- In practice, the Project disseminates its findings through written materials and training programs to nonprofits, NGOs, governmental organizations, foundations, and businesses interested in developing stronger cross-community structures and leadership skills.
The larger purpose of The Concord Project is to promote respectful, democratic communities and societies, whose leaders and members have the knowledge, skills, and practice to develop enduring values and processes that promote coexistence and social cohesion. |
