Helping to Overcome the Psychological Obstacles to Peaceful Resolution of Conflict
Who We Are
The IDI is a private, international, multidisciplinary group comprised of psychoanalysts, academics, diplomats and other professionals, who bring a psychologically-informed perspective to the study and amelioration of societal conflict.
Conversation with Lord David Owen
On Nov. 9, 2023, the International Dialogue Initiative was pleased to host its first conversation in The Psychology of Societal Conflict Series. Conceived and organized by our late colleague, Dr. Coline Covington, this series explores the ways that a psychological understanding of the often trauma-related, historical dynamics that shape large group identity may help us make sense of societal conflict and may inform interventions as well.Our inaugural guest was Lord David Owen. Trained as a neurologist, Lord Owen’s career included a lifetime of service in the British government. Among many other roles, he served as Foreign Secretary from 1977 to 1979, and, with former US Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, as chief EU peace negotiator in the former Yugoslavia. He also served on the Independent Commission on Disarmament and Security Issues and the Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict. His many books include, most recently, Riddle, Mystery, and Enigma: Two Hundred Years of British-Russian Relation (2022).
Lord Owen talked with us about The Dynamics of War Today. He was joined by IDI members Jerry Fromm as discussant and Regine Scholz as moderator. The topic, of course, was of immediate concern. We began with a discussion of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which was our original topic, then took up Lord Owen’s formulation of The Hubris Syndrome (about which one of his articles is titled “In Sickness and in Power”) and concluded with a discussion of the terrible events unfolding in Israel and Gaza. Below is a link to the conversation.
https://youtu.be/_VUPBl3CYlk
Lord David Owen, Presenter
The Rt Hon the Lord David Owen CH FRCP trained as a neurologist and became a psychiatric registrar at St Thomas’s Hospital, London, before becoming a Research Fellow. He then entered politics and in Labour Governments served as Navy Minister (1968- 70), Health Minister (1974-76) and Foreign Secretary (1977-79). In 1992-95, Lord Owen served as EU peace negotiator in the former Yugoslavia. He served on the Independent Commission on Disarmament and Security Issues (Palme Commission) and the Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict. His latest book is Riddle, Mystery, and Enigma: Two Hundred Years of British-Russian Relation (2022).
What We Do
In the 21st Century, understanding the “Other” presents itself as perhaps the major difficulty in the field of diplomacy and international relations. Reflexive, historically-based antagonisms –the origins of which are often lost in the past but the emotions and symbols of which can be reactivated passionately in the present – contribute to conflict between communities and nations. Rational approaches based on each sides’ real interests are defeated by irrational views of one another, and discussion becomes dangerously confused or polarized. Working relationships – tense to begin with – break down even further.
Psychologically-informed dialogue is aimed at opening a reflective space in this disturbance of communication and relationships. Its goal is to understand how the emotional and historical background of that disturbance – often related to trauma – is being experienced in the present. This kind of intensive psychological learning can help participants overcome resistances to dialogue and facilitate their finding peaceful solutions to intergroup problems.
Note to IDI Friends: Leadership Transition
At our Annual Meeting in October, I completed my tenure as president of the International Dialogue Initiative, and Donna Elmendorf and Bijan Khajehpour began their co-presidency. Donna and Bijan are both exceptionally talented and dedicated leaders, and I have no doubt that IDI will thrive under their stewardship.
It has been an honor for me to have led the IDI for the last seven and a half years. In that time, our members continued to carry out their own conflict-resolution projects, often behind the scenes and in the midst of great turmoil, and they benefitted enormously from the support and consultation we provided each other, especially in our Annual Meetings. But the IDI is also a collective, and, in the last several years, we have published a book of our own papers, led exceptional training workshops, created podcasts and a Psychology of Societal Conflict educational series, developed a program of Volkan Scholars, carried out various consultations, and created a Friends group.
We hold to our focus on understanding the psychological underpinnings of societal conflict, which necessarily must take into account the history of trauma so many large groups have suffered. We are sobered but very encouraged by the number of people, including many young professionals, who come to us for help.
As I turn the presidency over to Donna and Bijan. I look forward to the continued development of IDI and its core mission of understanding and intervening with the profound troubles of people in large group conflict. I am very grateful to have gotten to know so many of you over these years and grateful too for the trust our founder, Vamik Volkan, and all the IDI members placed in me. Their and your inspiration, friendship, knowledge, and life experiences have enriched my life enormously. Thank you.
Where We Work
IDI members typically carry out projects independently, sometimes in consultation with other members or organizations.
Tbilisi
In October 2014, IDI Members Dr. Frank Ochberg and Dr. Coline Covington presented at the Global Initiative on Psychiatry in Tbilisi, Georgia. Read more in our blog.
Oxford
IDI Vice President Lord John Alderdice establishes the Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict at Harris Manchester College. Read more in the 11th Meeting Report.
Sarajevo
In May 2014, IDI Member Dr. Regine Sholz presented at the Trauma and Group Identity Conference in Sarajevo. Read more in our blog.
Corrymeela
In June 2013 a subgroup of IDI members consulted with representatives of Northern Ireland society, including politicians, clergy, police and civic leaders in an effort to discover and frame the emotional obstacles in the way of better cooperation toward the overall good of the people of Northern Ireland. Read more in the 10th Meeting Report.
Georgetown
IDI members Vamik Volkan and Gerard Fromm authored an article on dialogue in conflict resolution for the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. Read more in our blog.
Latest Blog Post
Previous Blog Posts
We Don’t Speak Of Fear
The IDI is pleased to announce publication of “We Don’t Speak Of Fear: Large-Group Identity, Societal Conflict and Collective Trauma,” the IDI’s first collective effort to share its work. Divided into sections on theory, application and methodology, We Don’t Speak Of Fear holds the idea that, while traumatic experiences may happen to an individual or a family, they also affect society and large-group identity over long periods of time. In that way, trauma plays out between generations and between countries. ‘At this moment in time, when tribalism and polarization are rampant, with humanity split into thousands of splintered groups, and the very planet itself threatened, this compelling book, unlike much of the conflict resolution literature, addresses the deep, frequently unconscious roots of conflict, not just the symptoms. With great understanding and compassion, the various authors explain how the profound, historic wounds of shame and humiliation and fear of loss of identity keep so many communities divided and imprisoned. At the same time, they offer a much-needed vision for how human beings might heal these deep wounds and begin to live on the presumption that we are one human family, despite our differences. We Don’t Speak of Fearis a wonderful ...
IDI President Gerard Fromm Delivers Remarks At Vilnius Conference on Overcoming Collective Trauma
On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, IDI President Gerard Fromm offered remarks on psychological interventions at the Vilnius Conference on Overcoming Collective Trauma. An excerpt of those remarks follows: Preparing the Ground: Psychological Intervention in Societal Conflict Vilnius Conference on Overcoming Collective Trauma September 21, 2022 M. Gerard Fromm, Ph.D. Esteemed ministers, colleagues, guests and conference organizers, it is an honor to speak with you today and to discuss the lessons that collective trauma has taught us over time. It ...Lord Alderdice: Remarks to Parliament on the Passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
IDI Member John, Lord Alderdice offered the following remarks to Parliament on the passing of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II on September 10, 2022. Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Tributes, continued)Hansard Volume 824: debated on Saturday 10 September 2022Col 469Lord Alderdice (LD) My Lords, it is a truism of politics generally—and, no doubt, of your Lordships’ House—that it is easier to make a long speech than a short one. In respect of Her late ...Remembering the Era of Mikhail Gorbachev
Remembering the Era of Mikhail Gorbachev Vamık Volkan September 3, 2022 During the Cold War, Americans and Soviets were seeing each other through extremely prejudicial lenses. My first attendance at a meeting with Soviet delegates took place in Chautauqua, New York in June 1985. Two Soviet poets had come to Chautauqua: Yevgeny Yevtushenko and Andrei Voznesensky. My conversations with them were my first meaningful experiences with people from the Other’s side of the world. As I got to ...
