IFIT / WELCOME TO THE GLOBAL INITIATIVE ON POLARIZATION

The Global Initiative on Polarization

The Global Initiative on Polarization is an ambitious collaboration initiated by IFIT and the Ford Foundation and in the process of expanding to include other philanthropic and institutional partners. The underlying aim of the work is to foster deeper global (and local) understandings of the diverse causes, consequences and solutions to growing polarization – in democratic and non-democratic settings alike.

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Through interdisciplinary research, structured convenings, and applied work in a wide range of countries, the Global Initiative on Polarization examines cross-cutting and practice-relevant challenges at the nexus of polarization and social justice, seeking to strengthen existing tools for bridge-building and enhanced civic engagement and pluralism.

A foundational paper containing findings from the first major phase of work was published in 2023 and has been translated into twelve languages (Arabic, Bahasa, Chinese, French, Hausa, Hindi, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Urdu). Drawing on wide-ranging research, consultations and meetings conducted by IFIT and Ford, the paper serves as the basis for language-diverse convenings being organized around the world.

Looking ahead to the next three years (2025-2028), the plans and priorities of the Global Initiative on Polarization include: 1) the 2025 launch of a globally diverse community of de-polarization practice, 2) the parallel launch of an annual in-person “flagship” global convening that deepens connections within and beyond the community of practice and serves as a “conveyor belt” for the extensive and important scientific and academic work being done on de-polarization but rarely reaching global practitioners; 3) the production of a globally informed de-polarization toolkit broadly based on the three-part solutions spectrum IFIT developed; and 4) the generation of multiple practice-oriented policy papers and videos that will focus on promising innovations in the area of de-polarization.