Gail ChristopherLeading practitioners of conflict resolution, dialogue and community building will come to Richmond, VA to explore the trust deficit that divides the U.S. at the local and national levels and globally as well. The forum is sponsored by Initiatives of Change at the University of Richmond, June 4-7 and will draw participants from many walks of life to share best practices of building bridges and living with integrity.

Dr. Harold Saunders, who as President Jimmy Carter’s Assistant Secretary of State helped broker the Arab-Israeli peace accords, will facilitate a workshop on sustained dialogue; Dr. Mishkat Al-Moumin, Minister of Environment in Iraq’s transitional government, will focus on trust and security. D. Paul Monteiro from the White House Office of Public Engagement, Amy Potter who directs Coming to the Table, a program that addresses the intergenerational transmission of trauma from slavery and its legacy, and Dr. Syngman Rhee, who has worked for reconciliation between North and South Korea, will discuss “the DNA of a trustbuilder.” The forum features small group discussions and networking opportunities.

Dr. Gail Christopher, Vice President for Programs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation will give the keynote address at 7:30 pm on Friday, June 5. The foundation supports strategies for racial equity as part of its mission to help children thrive. Christopher says getting to racial equity “requires changes of heart” on the part of leaders. She comes to Richmond in response to Initiatives of Change’s work of racial reconciliation and dialogue through its Hope in the Cities program.

“We want to explore the personal qualities that build trust and how to restore trust when it has been broken,” says Rob Corcoran, National Director of Initiatives of Change, a multifaith international network working to build trust across the world’s divides. “This is an opportunity to build connections between individuals and organizations working to strengthen communities, resolve conflicts and build a sustainable movement for change. Also, we will highlight Richmond’s potential as a national resource center for community trustbuilding.”

Hope in the Cities is partnering with local non-profit organizations to offer site visits on themes of Healing History, Inclusive Communities and Healthy Integrated Schools. One Voice, Richmond’s unique interracial chorus, will present a “Conversation in Concert” at 7:30 pm on June 6 together with British author Michael Henderson who will share stories from his new book No Enemy to Conquer: forgiveness in an unforgiving world.

The forum opens at 7:30 pm on Thursday June 4 and concludes at 12:30 pm on Sunday June 7. All events will be held at Haynes Commons, University of Richmond. For information call 804 358-1764 or view online at www.us.iofc.org/trustfactor.