Dave Joseph's Page

What motivated you (or your organization) to become involved in peace and conflict resolution?

From 1970-1972, I taught English as a foreign language in Niger, as a Peace Corps volunteer. That's where I learned about teaching people to fish, rather than giving them fish. It's also where I learned about the power of personal relationships to dispel stereotypes, cross cultural boundaries, and promote connection, caring and compassion for others.
My faith tradition teaches me that each of us has a role to play in attempting to heal a broken world. I believe that my part has to do with supporting efforts of others do their part---specialty in Africa, a love that dates back almost 40 years

Please feel free to provide a short bio about yourself or the work of your organization (no more than 3 paragraphs)

I'm currently the Program Director of the Public Conversations Project, a US-based NGO that promotes dialogue for the purposes of learning and understanding in intractable conflicts. Our goal is to develop and to deepen connection, relationship and trust between people with differing core values, identities and worldviews. I've been doing this work since 1995, when I initially became trained as a mediator. My work now focuses on delivering training and facilitating dialogues. I feel fortunate to have worked over the past several years with some truly amazing and inspiring people in Burundi, Liberia and Nigeria and hope to continue doing so

Please list the countries and/or regions in which you (or your organization) have direct and significant expertise

Liberia, Burundi, Nigeria

What is your current country of residence (or location of your organization)?

USA

What is your current job (and organization) and/or where and what field are you studying?

Program Director, Public Conversations Project

What is your personal or organizational website?

http://www.publicconversations.org

What is one of your favorite websites in the field? (please provide one answer per box)

http://www.mediatorsbeyondborders.org/

Which are your primary sectoral areas of expertise (or the primary sectoral areas of your organization) ?

Conflict Resolution, Development, Gender, Health, Psychosocial

Which are your primary skills areas(or the primary skill areas of your organization)?

Communication, Program Administration, Program Implemenation, Training