Pluralism and Trust: Why Trust is So Vital to Peacebuilding
September 11, 2024
Washington DC
On September 11, 2024, the Centre’s Secretary General Meredith Preston McGhie, alongside 2023 Global Pluralism Award laureates Lea Baroudi and Helena Puig Larrauri of Build Up spoke at a panel discussion “Pluralism and Trust: Why Trust is so Vital to Peacebuilding”. The panel took place as part of the 2024 Peace Conference, co-hosted by the Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP) and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). The conversation delved into the challenges of rebuilding trust in divided societies, focusing on how pluralism and societal resilience can serve as powerful drivers of peace and social cohesion in times of increasing polarization.
This discussion underscored the complex role of trust in building and sustaining peace. By sharing evidence and insights from their respective fields, the speakers demonstrated how pluralism can counteract division and promote a shared sense of community. Through personal accounts, the speakers showcased how fostering pluralism and resilience can break down barriers of fear and build societies grounded in mutual trust and cohesion.