Countries worldwide face the challenge of bridging differences and reducing disparities between groups. The Orfalea Center’s year-long thematic conversation on building plural institutions in diverse societies will tackle this issue. We live in a time where ethnic nationalism is rising, the consensus on globalization is weakening, and migration shocks are testing societal cohesion. These forces are polarizing politics, fueling political violence, and eroding trust in democracy. How can societies build social trust across differences? How can we nurture and protect the pluralist values in our key institutions? What lessons can diverse societies offer from their past and present? Graduate students interested in exploring the practice of pluralism within state (including security forces) and social institutions, as well as the threats posed by political violence, are encouraged to apply.
