Most conflict resolution efforts put the past to one side, searching for present interests. What we see, however, is that the past is never over, and historical grievance is ever available to stir up conflict even when present interests in cooperation are strong. Residual enmity and hatred are corrosive forces.

The Institute’s approach is different and unique: We address the past, and memory in particular, as something that must be worked through and put into perspective before mutual relations can ripen into trust and stable collaboration.

Each party to conflict carries a set of memories translated into historical narratives, some deriving from personal experience, but also from family memory, cultural depictions, political accounts, prejudices and stereotypes.

This does not mean that we “choose” between historical narratives, force a shared narrative or ignore genuine injustices and grievances. Rather, we aim to enable each side’s members to appreciate the complexity of their own and their adversary’s pasts, to understand the process by which historical facts are selectively remembered, and to make space for points of mutual acknowledgment, empathy and eventually, the beginning of trust. Rather than an iron box from which a party to conflict can never escape, a tragic past can be a source of strength, renewed identity and new relations.

This approach is very new, and can be carried out not only through workshops on mediation techniques that engage historical narratives, but also through the arts, memorialization projects, and public diplomacy.

We succeed when we enable our participants to see a broader range of options in relating to former adversaries. Our aim is to foster history without hate.