Modern society is experiencing a relational famine; a lack of shared understanding and shared reality across many axes of difference which has resulted in polarization and exclusion of some from the structures and systems that shape our health. What has ensued is structural violence that kills those most marginalized; and results in intractable policy conflicts that prevent us from making progress on our greatest societal challenges like climate change, racism, sexism, rural-urban divides, and political polarization. I argue for a relational feast. The path forward is complex and challenging, but by engaging in meaningful dialogue, facilitating intergroup contact, and fostering strong relationships, we can make significant strides toward a more understanding and healthier world. By nurturing “relationeers” across various societal sectors, we can cultivate trust and co-creativity within policymaking, academia, and community leadership. This new cohort of cross-sectoral, transdisciplinary, transcultural peacebuilders will proactively renew, steward, and uphold common purpose through models that facilitate contact, dialogue, and shared understanding. In this chapter, I explore the causes, contexts, and manifestations of a relational famine, and prescribe paths forward to nurture a feast from famine.

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Breaking Bread in a Relational Famine: Navigating Structural Violence Through Facilitated Discourse

  • Aleem Bharwani

摘要

Modern society is experiencing a relational famine; a lack of shared understanding and shared reality across many axes of difference which has resulted in polarization and exclusion of some from the structures and systems that shape our health. What has ensued is structural violence that kills those most marginalized; and results in intractable policy conflicts that prevent us from making progress on our greatest societal challenges like climate change, racism, sexism, rural-urban divides, and political polarization. I argue for a relational feast. The path forward is complex and challenging, but by engaging in meaningful dialogue, facilitating intergroup contact, and fostering strong relationships, we can make significant strides toward a more understanding and healthier world. By nurturing “relationeers” across various societal sectors, we can cultivate trust and co-creativity within policymaking, academia, and community leadership. This new cohort of cross-sectoral, transdisciplinary, transcultural peacebuilders will proactively renew, steward, and uphold common purpose through models that facilitate contact, dialogue, and shared understanding. In this chapter, I explore the causes, contexts, and manifestations of a relational famine, and prescribe paths forward to nurture a feast from famine.