Authors:
Adi Mana | Peres Academic Center | Israel
Anat Sarid | Ben Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) | Israel
Michael Sternberg | Ben Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) | Israel
Mimoza Telaku | AAB College | Kosovo
Shifra Sagy | Ben Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) | Israel
Employing the salutogenic approach, our panel explores coping resources of individuals and collectives who live in conflict areas and their implications for the promotion of openness towards the other and readiness to reconcile (Sagy, 2017). Based on our recent studies in Israel and Kosovo (Mana, Srour & Sagy, 2019, Sagy & Mana, 2016; Telaku & Sagy, 2019), we introduce two new concepts, Sense of Community Coherence [SOCC] and Sense of National Coherence [SONC], that represent major components of the socio-psychological infrastructure of societies in conflict. We will discuss the potential contribution of these salutogenic resources to binary perceptions of the intergroup relations and to non-empathetic attitudes towards the other. We will discuss potential directions for the promotion of the sense of collective coherence based upon openness towards the other. Dr. Adi Mana will present a quantitative study that examined SOCC and its connection with perceptions of collective narratives of the in- and out-group (Sagy, Adwan, & Kaplan, 2002) in the social context of two Palestinian religious groups: Muslim and Christian citizens of Israel. Our discussion will focus on the contribution of the findings to deeper understanding of the concept of sense of community coherence and its relevance to conflict areas. Dr. Mimoza Telaku will present a quantitative study of SOCC, perceptions of collective narratives and acculturation attitudes in the context of post conflict between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo. We will discuss the significance of SOCC in post conflict in promoting reconciliation between conflict sides. Ms. Anat Sarid will present a quantitative study that examined a new concept, sense of national coherence [SONC], and its contribution to low willingness to reconcile among Israeli students. The discussion will relate to the significance of SONC in the context of intractable conflict and related challenges to readiness to reconcile. Dr. Michael Sternberg will present a qualitative study of a peace education initiative at an Israeli university in which participants encountered narratives of the other (Sternberg, Litvak Hirsch, & Sagy, 2018). We will explore the contribution of narratives to both individual and collective levels of the sense of coherence in the context of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. We will also address the implications for peace education initiatives, that attempt to promote openness towards the other and readiness to reconcile.
Panel Moderator: Professor Shifra Sagy, Martin-Springer Center for Conflict Studies,Ben Gurion University of the Negev.