Governing Deep Differences

A one-day event on governance and global affairs, focusing on Overcoming Deep Differences and strategies for rebuilding trust in divided communities.

Hasina Jalal (University of Pittsburgh) presents her research on Afghan women’s social movements and resilience under Taliban rule.

Tareq Abu Hamed discusses environmental diplomacy and the role of science in fostering relationships across the Middle East. This project brings together Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, and international students to protect fragile shared environmental resources, eliminate conflict over these scarce natural resources, and serve as a model for constructive peacemaking. 

Rabbi Jeffrey Myers shares reflections on resilience and his message that love is stronger than hate following the Tree of Life tragedy.

Oleksanda Keudal examines how local authorities in Ukraine have mobilized resources, knowledge, and institutional innovations to handle war-related crises from 2022 to 2024.

Kamran Hakiman investigates why states use indiscriminate violence against some civilian populations following guerrilla attacks but not others, focusing on Myanmar’s post-coup civil war.

Al-Gharbi explores how the rise of “symbolic capitalists”—professionals in fields like education, media, law, and NGOs—contribute to social and economic inequalities, despite commitments to social justice.  

Valeria Umanets explores women’s participation in Russian municipal politics and their role in stabilizing authoritarian governance by enhancing the delivery of essential welfare services. The research draws on interviews with municipal representatives, fieldwork observations, and electoral data analysis. 

Sawsan Kheir examines how young adult Muslim and Druze university students in Israel navigate the interaction between their religious beliefs and contemporary societal norms.

Mustafa Akyol addresses historical episodes of coexistence and collaboration between Jewish and Muslim communities, drawing attention to how these experiences can inform current perspectives on governance and pluralism. 

Ilana Redstone presents her book The Certainty Trap: Why We Need to Question Ourselves More and How We Can Judge Others Less. Co-hosted by the Year of Discourse and Dialogue, the Institute of Politics (IOP), and All Angles at GSPIA, students are encouraged to engage in a thoughtful conversation on how we can overcome polarization by rethinking our approach to certainty and judgment.

Steffen Höhn explores Franz Kafka’s work in relation to the cultural and political dynamics of Bohemia and Prague.

Frank Barry discusses his new book, Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey Into the Heart of American Democracy, which explores America's deep political and cultural divides through a reflective journey along the Lincoln Highway.

This event is a timely response to the rapidly evolving situation in Myanmar, aiming to foster discussions and strategies for resolving long-standing conflicts and building trust among diverse ethnic and regional groups in the country.

Uriel Simonsohn discusses the role of interreligious dialogue in mitigating conflict and fostering coexistence in Israel’s mixed cities.