Managing inter-communal conflict and violence is critical to national and international security in today's world. As societies are becoming more diverse, many more countries are facing ethnic, religious, cultural and social conflicts. The globalization of such conflicts is also increasing. Join me as I speak with Mari Fitzduff, the Program Director of the Coexistence and Conflict program at The Heller School of Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. Professor Mari Fitzduff is a native of Northern Ireland who brings more than 20 years of international experience in conflict resolution policy and practice development to the program. Professor Fitzduff was the first chief executive of the foremost conflict resolution agency in Northern Ireland. More recently, she served as director of UNU/INCORE, a United Nations University Center and one of the world's leading organizations for international research and consultancy work on coexistence and conflict matters around the world. She has served as a consultant and trainer on conflict programs in the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Basque country, and the CIS states.

Click for more information on Mari Fitzduff

Listener Assignment: To break through the barriers and learn how to coexist with someone so different from yourself, we suggest you take this challenge. Sit down with someone you might find difficult to listen to...maybe someone of a different faith or cultural background and engage them in a conversation with the intent of being curious. This is not about a debate. Or, visit a Mosque or Temple and just sit and listen. Leave your comments about your experiences.