This episode is a special edition for the Association for Conflict Resolution's (ACR) annual conference and v....

In a digitally connected world where diversity of identities is a reality which we must confront every time we log into our smart phones and social media accounts, academia has played a pioneering role in the way we learn how to be inclusive and embrace diversity. Nevertheless, recent demonstrations across American campuses as well as the growing expressions of hate and violence in online space worldwide, make question the preparedness of traditional education methods to tackle the virtual multicultural world we live in. Grassroots intercultural dialogue programs between citizens living in different societies have flourished over the past decade as a response to the growing antagonism between some of those societies. Those programs aim at building mutual understanding and a sense of empathy among participants, creating bridges and fostering a new culture of constructive engagement between young citizens. Lately, online dialogue programs carried out by organizations like Soliya have received an official acknowledgment of their relevance in a fast changing world. Panelists involved as implementors of Soliya’s Connect Program will engage in an interactive discussion with participants on the lessons learned from Soliya's 13 years experience, the current evolutions of dialogue processes and the value of virtual exchange as a growing field in the world of intercultural dialogue and conflict resolution education.

For more information or to apply as a facilitator, visit Soliya

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Waidehi Gokhale is the Chief Executive Officer of Soliya, an international not for profit organization delivering innovative virtual exchange programming globally. She has 18 years of professional experience in the fields of psychology, international education, and development. Prior to joining Soliya in 2008, Waidehi worked as an International Project Manager at War Child Canada with a globally diverse portfolio of programming. Before that Waidehi worked as a counselor on staff in High Schools in the United States and as a Language Teacher in Singapore.

Waidehi was born in India and grew up in Hong Kong. She holds a BA in Literature and Philosophy from the University of York in the UK, a MA in Counseling Psychology from Boston College and a MA in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Having lived, studied and worked globally Waidehi believes strongly in the transformative power of meaningful cross-cultural experiences for young people.

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Rangineh Azimzadeh Tosang, MA, CPF©, Principal and Founder of Solh Resolutions International, specializes in facilitation and conflict transformation. She received her MA in International Policy Studies with a specialization in International Conflict Resolution from Monterey Institute of International Studies. She is a Certified Professional Facilitator ©, trainer with the National Conflict Resolution Center, and has over ten years of experience facilitating diverse groups in a multitude of settings. For the last five years, Rangineh has also served as a Senior facilitator, coach, and trainer with Soliya, an international organization on the front lines of innovation through its use of technology, facilitation, and conflict transformation to connect young people across the world in an international exchange around global social issues.

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