COEXISTENCE INTERNATIONAL
AT BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
Meta-level Networking (Strand 1)
Concept Paper
Introduction
This concept paper, “Meta-level Networking”, describes a strand of work being initiated by
Coexistence International at Brandeis University (CI). “Meta-level Networking” is one of five
strands of work being undertaken by CI. Jessica Berns, CI Program Manager, is presently the strand
convener, with input from Dr. Cynthia Cohen, Director of Coexistence Research and International
Collaboration at Brandeis University and Dr. Mari Fitzduff, Director of the MA Program in
Coexistence and Conflict Resolution at Brandeis University. It is anticipated that within the next 3
months an external strand convener, familiar with the field and committed to the notion of a more
integrated approach, will be brought on board to develop the substantive content of the strand and
oversee its progression. .
CI is a new initiative funded through a gift of the Alan B. Slifka Foundation, housed within the Slifka
Program in Intercommunal Coexistence, itself a program of Brandeis’ International Center for
Ethics, Justice and Public Life. CI envisions a world in which people of different religions, races,
ethnicities and cultures relate with respect and recognize their interdependence, where diversity is
embraced for its positive potential, and where equality is valued and actively pursued. Its mission is
to strengthen the field of policymakers, practitioners, researchers, advocates, organizations and
networks promoting coexistence at local, national and international levels.
CI has recently completed a strategic plan, committing itself to advocating for a complementary,
inter-disciplinary vision of the coexistence field that includes not only practitioners and theorists
working directly on coexistence (i.e. conflict resolution practitioners, coexistence facilitators,
mediators, etc.) but also those working in related disciplines, such as cultural work, democracy,
education, humanitarian aid, sustainable development, etc. CI’s strategic plan includes five strands of
work: (i) networking those who are thinking about the field at a meta-level; (ii) strengthening
coexistence policies; (iii) working with funders; (iv) exploring the relationship between art and
peacebuilding; and (v) work within a particular, yet-to-be decided geographic region.
Background
This strand of work, meta-level networking, takes as its starting point the observation, identified in
CI’s strategic planning process, that the coexistence field is fragmented. There are different
disciplines working to build peace, but practitioners of the different disciplines lack an awareness of
the extent to which they are working towards the same goal and the way in which their assumptions
and practices differ from each other. There is a lack of clarity about commonalities and differences
among those working in distinct but related fields and a lack of coordination and sharing of
knowledge. With this as a starting point, CI has mapped out four layers of actors working on
coexistence. While the layers are distinct, there is, of course, movement and overlap among them.
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C O E X I S T EN C E
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
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The inner core (A) includes those directly working on the mission of coexistence. The focus of their
work is strengthening relationships across difference, whether through facilitation of groups,
reconciliation of conflicts, directing organizations, doing advocacy work, coordinating networks,
conducting research, or developing policy at local, national, regional, or international levels.
The next layer (B) includes practitioners and researchers who are working in related disciplines, and
whose work affects the quality of intergroup relations even though that is not the articulated focus.
Layer B includes, for instance, people and organizations working in humanitarian assistance, refugee
resettlement, sustainable development, community development, cultural development, education,
recreation and sport, etc. Members of this group may not see themselves as part of the coexistence
field.
Layer C includes policymakers, funders, and IGOs who influence coexistence work through
financial contributions and policy decisions.
Those reflecting on the field from a meta-perspective are represented in the outermost layer (D).
They come from circles A, B, or C and from varied regions, but they possess a consciousness and
concern about the field in general. CI hopes to engage with all these actors in thinking about the
fuller coexistence picture and encourage more players to think and act at this level.
This area of CI’s work, “Meta-level Networking”, is designed to facilitate conversation, reflection and
learning between the leaders of layers A-D with the goal of contributing to a complementary, interdisciplinary vision of the coexistence field that includes Layers A, B, C, and D across local, national,
and international levels.
Goals and Objectives
The goals of this strand of work, as stated in CI’s Strategic Plan are:
1. To contribute to a complementary, inter-disciplinary vision of the coexistence field that
includes Layers A, B, C, and D across local, national, and international levels. This vision of
the field requires communication, cooperation and coordination, a space for reflection and
dialogue, and opportunities for meta-networking.
2. To strengthen coexistence leadership at all levels, with a special focus on leaders from
developing countries and minority communities. CI will work with emerging and
experienced leaders to enhance the efficacy of coexistence work.
3. To encourage the development and coherence of coexistence policies. Policymakers at all
levels (local to global) in government, educational institutions, INGOs, professional
associations, and public, private, and civil society sectors will develop and implement policies
reflecting CI’s vision of coexistence.
C O E X I S T EN C E
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4. To create a change in public awareness and governmental policies towards the vision of
coexistence.
Corresponding to these goals, the following objectives have been identified for years 1-3:
1. To produce and disseminate written documentation (print and/or electronic) that articulates
CI’s vision of a complementary coexistence field and to regularly promote this view through
communication materials.
2. To plan and execute a series of gatherings over the next three years that bring together
coexistence actors working in different disciplines and different levels (local and global).
3. To build relationships with other international networks to enlist their partnership in this
integrated view of the field.
4. To develop cohorts of leaders in different regions and sectors of coexistence work; or work
with existing cohorts of leaders.
5. To cultivate coexistence leadership among people from developing countries and minority
communities.
6. To facilitate mutually beneficial professional relationships between emerging and
experienced leaders.
7. To increase effectiveness of coexistence work by promoting development and use of
evaluation tools and reflective practices.
8. To convene gatherings of coexistence leaders and articulate a set of shared principles to
unify and demarcate CI’s constituencies.
9. To develop knowledge management and information-sharing tools to enhance the work of
coexistence leaders.
10. To identify like-minded policymakers from specific sectors to promote awareness of
coexistence and to develop advocacy strategies.
11. To create and disseminate documents on policy and advocacy strategies.
12. To develop an informal network of like-minded policymakers from specific sectors.
13. To develop and implement a communications and advocacy plan.
14. To identify advocacy opportunities (e.g., editorials, PSAs, concerts, professional conferences,
conversations with influential people).
C O E X I S T EN C E
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Activities
During the course of the next three years CI’s work in this strand will focus on facilitating thinking,
reflection and conversation between Layers A-D, nurturing the leadership of these layers and
engaging in a participatory drafting process of a Coexistence Charter. The Coexistence Charter affirms and
defines coexistence ideals for societies. It is a shared set of principles and a rallying point for
common strategies. The Charter should serve as both an inspiration and a tool for advocacy and
policy change.
At a next stage CI will work to develop a campaign for widespread endorsement of the Charter at the
global and regional levels and carry out test-runs of the Charter as an advocacy tool in different
countries, within different institutions.
In the longer term CI will seek the adoption of the Charter by governments, UN, international and
national institutions.
Activities in Year One include:
• Gathering of leaders from Layer A to discuss commonalities and differences within A, and
between A and B. The participants will reflect on the state of the field and begin outlining
principles for inclusion in Coexistence Charter.
• Gathering of leaders from Layers A and B to reflect on the commonalities and differences
between A and B and to work on the draft Charter together.
Activities in Year Two include:
• A larger meeting of those from Layers A-D who have been involved in Year One to look
together at the draft Charter. What does the Charter mean for the work of practitioners in
Layer A? And B? And where do we take it from here?
• Wider consultation of the Charter.
Activities in Year Three include:
• Initial dissemination of the Charter.
• A campaign for wider dissemination of the Charter will be developed and partnerships
consolidated.
For additional information on this area of CI’s work, or about CI more generally, please contact
Jessica Berns, CI Program Manager (jberns@brandeis.edu).