Constructive Political Engagement and Conflict Resolution Leadership Program
Participants will be equipped with ideas and skills to respond to contemporary American political and social conflicts.
Drawing upon the resources of the Carter School at George Mason University and the Bipartisan Leadership Project, sessions will include interactive engagement and presentations from scholars and practitioners with an emphasis on conflict management skills and tools, group dynamics and networking. Participants come from a diverse set of professional and personal backgrounds to learn together and from each other, and will develop contacts with a dynamic cohort of participants who are passionate about constructive political engagement and problem-solving. Participants also gain membership in our alumni organization, which holds engaging events exclusively for Political Leadership Academy alumni.
Note: Participation in the PLA Program will be both in-person and virtual. Each session will be fully accessible for virtual participants.
Session Dates and Times
1:00am to 2:30pm EST in-person and
virtually at GMU’s Arlington, VA Campus
on Saturdays and 6:30pm-8:00pm EST
virtually on Thursdays:
- Thursday, April 24th
- Thursday, May 1st
- Saturday, May 3rd
- Thursday, May 8th
- Saturday, May 10th
- Thursday, May 15th
- Saturday, May 17th
- Thursday, May 22nd
- Saturday, May 31st
- Thursday, June 5th
- Saturday, June 7th
Featured Topics
Topics that will be discussed include but are not limited to:
- Reflections on the Election; Polarization and De-Polarization in American politics
- The Importance of Being a Reflective Practitioner.
- Constructive conversations in the wake of the election
- Who are We? Who are they? Identity, culture, narrative and Conflict.
- Ethical and Adaptive Leadership
- Conflict Sensitivity and Transformation
- Race, Class and Power
- Communication strategies
- Pluralism in Diversifying Democracy
- Contending with Misinformation and Disinformation
- Preventing Political Violence
- De-Polarization in Practice
- Dialogue facilitation
Tuition
Tuition: $750
Scholarships: Available with needs-based consideration. Please indicate your need in the application or contact [email protected] for more details.
Previous Speakers
The PLA utilizes scholars and practitioners who are experts in their fields to engage our participants. A full list of this sessions speakers will be sent to participant’s closer to the start of the workshop. Previous speakers have included:
- Andy Shallal, Founder, Busboys and Poets
- Nicole Rowsell, Former Acting Vice President, National Democratic Institute
- Karen Keys-Gamarra, Virginia State Delegate
- Keith Allred, Director, National Institute for Civil Discourse
- The Honorable Tom Davis, Former US Congressman
- Alp Ozerdem, Dean of the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution
- Thom Little, State Legislative Leaders Foundation
- The Honorable Stephanie Murphy, Former US Representative