Academics to explore the psychology of peace and reconciliation
The complex political and psychological barriers which often need to be overcome in peace negotiations are to be explored in a public debate at Plymouth University. Around the world, there are recent examples of warring factions sitting around a table to discuss laying down their arms. Some prove unsuccessful but there are instances, such as the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, which demonstrate that despite decades of distrust, it is possible to bring people together. In the first CogTalk of 2014, organised by the University’s Cognition Institute, Professor Raphael Cohen-Almagor and Dr Mauro Galluccio will discuss the political and psychological issues surrounding conflict resolution in some of the most troubled places in the world and how to break down the barriers to reconciliation. Prof Almagor is a human rights activist and Professor of Politics at the University of Hull. He has personal experience of the Israeli and Palestinian Peace Process, and has published extensively in the fields of political science, law, ethics and philosophy. Dr Galluccio is President of the European Association for Negotiation and Mediation and has worked as a Political Coordinator for the Directorate General of International Development at the EU. He is a psychologist and political scientist whose research interests span applied cognitive psychology and psychotherapy, international relations, conflict resolution and peace negotiations. Their debate – “Why can’t we all just get along?
