Since its inception in 2000, the Harvard International Negotiation Program has led global initiatives to bridge the emotional and identity-based divides in our world. We have taught courses across Harvard University and around the world, published research on the emotional dimensions of conflict resolution, developed curricula that translate our findings into practical negotiation tools, and launched a range of pragmatic research initiatives, including building a conflict assessment instrument for the International Criminal Court; leading educational initiatives on global security in cooperation with the World Economic Forum; and working toward peace in the Middle East through contributions to the Israeli-Palestinian Negotiation Partners Program and the Negotiation Strategies Institute. We also have hosted an annual INP Distinguished Lecture Series featuring heads of state and leading security experts discussing the role of identity in conflict resolution.
INP’s affiliate faculty have included some of the most prominent scholars and practitioners grappling with the psychological dimensions of conflict. Some examples: Professor Roger Fisher, co-author of the negotiation classic Getting to Yes, co-authored Beyond Reason with Daniel Shapiroand lent his insights from consulting on such high-profile global conflicts as the negotiations in South African to end apartheid, the original Camp David negotiations, and the border dispute between Ecuador and Peru. Professor Judith Herman, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and one of the world’s preeminent experts on trauma and healing, contributed to INP’s collaboration with the International Criminal Court in creating a conflict assessment for the Court. Professor Robert Jay Lifton, arguably the world’s leading expert on the psychology of mass violence, has contributed substantial insights to INP’s mission and research, and we have showcased his work on multiple occasions, including screening a documentary of his groundbreaking work to understand the psychology of Nazi doctors and, more generally, the psychology of evil and pathways to prevent future tragedy. A wide range of additional interdisciplinary faculty have contributed to various other INP initiatives.
Here are examples of INP’s past initiatives, events, and media contributions:
- Negotiating, Fast and Slow: A Conversation with Nobel Prize Winner Daniel Kahneman. See here. In this special Program on Negotiation event, Dr. Shapiro and Harvard students interview Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman on negotiation, conflict resolution, and behavioral economics
- Perspectives on Collective Violence: The Mindset of Evildoers and Traumatized Victims. This lecture panel provided participants with a broad look at violence from the vantage of perpetrators, victims, and those of subsequent generations affected by the intergenerational transmission of trauma. Speakers were Robert Jay Lifton, Judith Herman, and Joseph Albeck.
- The Negotiators: A Live NYPD Hostage Negotiation Demonstration. Featuring Lt. Jack Cambria, head of the NYPD Hostage Negotiation Unit, and Detectives Lydia Martinez and James Shanahan, the event shed light on how emotions are integral to the most high-pressure circumstances: the hostage negotiation.
- Terrorism, Identity, and Moderation in Pakistan. INP hosted Zamir Akram, Foreign Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who gave a talk entitled, “Terrorism, Identity, and Moderation: The Struggle for Pakistan’s Soul.” The discussion touched on a wide range of issues including Pakistani youth suicide bombers, relations between India and Pakistan, and the role of Islam in Pakistan. Akram suggested that individual and communal identity played a significant role in all three issues.
- Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. INP hosted Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, for a special lecture on the theme of “Leadership and Cooperation.” Ms. Persad-Bissessar, who made history as the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of her country, provided faculty and students with insights into how she is using elements of the Core Concerns framework (co-developed by INP founder Daniel Shapiro) to help guide her approach to leadership of her country. Afterwards, Ms. Persad-Bissessar and members of her delegation joined INP faculty and students for dinner and discussion about the challenges of governing in a multicultural society. Read an article on the event by the Harvard Crimson.
- Mass Violence Seminar Series. Soon after the events of September 11, this seminar series was founded by INP’s Robert Jay Lifton. This seminar explores the political, psychological, and health issues surrounding mass violence. Illustrative topics include critically examining U.S. foreign policy, assessing the burden of war, and understanding the subjective reality of perpetrators and survivors of violence. Recent speakers have included Neta Crawford, Jennifer Leaning, and Andrew Bacevitch.
- Conflict Management through the Lens of Psychopathology and Relational Psychology. This session looked at how better understand the relational dimension of negotiation, and how to approach conflict situations when people exhibit symptoms of psychopathology. Speakers included Bruce Cohen and Kimberlyn Leary.
- BBC Debate: Making Peace in the Middle East – Are the Right People Talking? The World Economic Forum hosted this debate in partnership with the BBC. Reaction from Daniel Shapiro, Founder and Director, Harvard International Negotiation Program, Harvard Law School. Moderated by Nik Gowing, Main Presenter, BBC World. Click here.
- Leading in Divided Times: A Panel Discussion at the World Economic Forum. Click here to watch the panel. We are living in an era of social fragmentation, economic disruption, and generational and political divides. In this panel discussion at Davos, global leaders examine how to bridge the growing divides in our world. Panelists include: Daniel Shapiro (Moderator), Founder and Director, Harvard International Negotiation Program, Harvard University, USA; Peter Maurer, President, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva; Member of Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum; Amre Moussa, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States (2001-2011); Head of the Constitution of Fifty, Egypt; Pier Carlo Padoan, Minister of Economy and Finance of Italy; and Michaella Rugwizangoga, Managing Partner, Future54, Rwanda.
- INP Founder named top 15 professor. See here. INP Founder Daniel Shapiro was named one of the top 15 Harvard professors of the year by FM Magazine. Read more about why Dr. Shapiro’s courses are so sought after and successful with undergraduates here.
- What is repetition compulsion? See here. Professor Shapiro wrote about Repetition Compulsion in the New York Times.
- Forbes: Negotiating the Nonnegotiable. Read Forbes Magazine‘s review of Negotiating the Nonnegotiable.
- BBC: What if your negotiating partner is reprehensible? Professor Shapiro discussed negotiating with a reprehensible adversary with the BBC. Listen here.
- Dr. Shapiro on divisive politics. Divisive politics make collaboration harder. Hear what Dr. Shapiro had to say to Time Magazine.
- Multiculturalism: What Next? A Special World Economic Forum Event with HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Prof Daniel Shapiro, and panelists. That society has become more fragmented is arguably an inevitable consequence of putting people with vast differences in wealth, education opportunities, religious beliefs and values together into a melting pot without adequate integration policies or government support. Why has multiculturalism in a globalized world foundered? 2. What can be done to create a more harmonious society? 3. How can a world free of xenophobia be created? Special Address by: H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Crown Prince of Norway; Moderator: Daniel Shapiro, Founder and Director, Harvard International Negotiation Program, Harvard Law School, USA; and a range of speakers from business, NGOs, and government.