Supporting social cohesion between conflicting communities

Intergroup contact can support peace between conflicting communities

Interventions to reduce intercommunal conflict often bring together people from the conflicting groups to work towards joint goals. A recent study analyzed the effects of one such intervention in Nigeria, where there is persistent violence between farmer and pastoralist communities. The intervention brought together farmers and pastoralists to publicly build infrastructure that would benefit both communities. The study found that the intervention improved participants’ feelings of physical security, attitudes towards the other group, and interaction with the other group. Not only did participants improve, but the attitudes of other community members also improved even though they did not directly participate in the intervention. This research demonstrates that intergroup contact can improve relations between conflicting groups when that contact is public and beneficial to both groups.

Radio soap operas can improve reconciliation between groups after conflict

Many researchers have used media to scale up the effects of interventions based on intergroup contact. A seminal study in Rwanda tested the effects of a radio soap opera to improve reconciliation a decade after the Rwandan genocide. The radio soap opera featured messages about reducing intergroup prejudice, violence, and trauma in two fictional Rwandan communities. The research found that listeners’ perceptions of social norms and their behaviors improved with respect to intermarriage, open dissent, trust, empathy, cooperation, and trauma healing. However, the radio program did little to change listeners’ personal beliefs. These results suggest that interventions aiming to reduce prejudice and conflict do not need to change personal beliefs and can prioritize communication of social norms.

Do you have a study we should share for a future Facty Friday? Send an email to drg.el@usaid.gov