The Role of Universal Human Commonalities in the Global Peace Movement

This paper examines the uniquely human tendency to make prejudgments based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, and other categorical divisions. It then will consider the ways such primitive instincts manifest themselves in prejudice and violence, which impedes peace building efforts on community, national and international levels. The paper will then discuss research in behavioral studies and negotiation, and conflict resolution tactics and will endeavor to identify potential solutions to this seemingly intractable perpetuation of hatred, degradation, and marginalization. Finally, it outlines the approach adopted by the Foundation for Global Collaboration and Peace, specifically our emphasis on raising awareness of basic, fundamental, and overarching human commonalities that transcend structural and biological differences amongst members of the human race.