Us versus them: what to do when polarisation strikes?

This talk delves into 20 years of experience in understanding and addressing polarisation strategies. Bart Brandsma unpacks three fundamental laws that shape division, five common roles people tend to adopt in us-them-dynamics, and four key game changers that can shift the conversation toward unity. Drawing on examples from Cambodia to Kyiv, Belfast to Lebanon, it provides practical perspectives on how division shapes societies - and how a strong, silent middle can counterbalance extreme narratives. As polarisation spreads both offline and online, the discussion invites reflection on the role of leadership in fostering unity: What does meaningful leadership over this middle look like in practice? Can the same principles that strengthen communities in the real world be applied to the digital space, where polarisation often times escalates even faster? Let’s bring this question to the forefront.

This programme session is supported by Stiftung Mercator. / Dieser Programmpunkt wird durch die Stiftung Mercator unterstützt.