What is the need for The Convergence Project in your community?

Few would argue that the world and the communities that comprise it have become increasingly polarized and divided with everyone striving for a piece of the same pie. Individuals and groups often find themselves spending more time working against something than they do working for something, and compromise is harder, if not impossible, to achieve.

One reason for the growing division is that most adults have strongly held beliefs that are unlikely to change. And what one person believes often collides with what another believes.

Imagine, if you will, what it could be like to find common ground with a foe or adversary (or even with someone with whom you do not have an unfriendly relationship) without compromise or giving up anything about who you are or what you believe, while at the same time achieving more of your personal goals and creating a stronger community.

The Convergence Project strives to make this vision a reality. In a world where human and financial resources are increasingly limited, The Convergence Project recognizes that we are stronger when we come together to find common ground. When we use our energy to work for something rather than against something, life is easier. And surprisingly, it can even be more fun.

The Convergence Project provides many benefits to finding common ground including:

• Participants actively create the community in which they wish to live by making their community stronger through the common ground projects that groups complete.

• Participants accomplish more of their personal goals and those of their group.

• Participants define themselves rather than be defined. So often, our adversaries define us the way they perceive us to be, frequently demonizing us based on partial knowledge or half-truths. Working with an opponent or someone with dissimilar values or beliefs allows everyone to see one another as they really are. In a sense, it allows both sides to take off their “demon horns.”

• The Convergence Project is based on “task linking”. When common ground is identified and a mutually beneficial task is completed, both groups become stronger than if they had worked alone. When we elect to work with others with different beliefs or values on a common ground goal, both groups get more of what they want.

• Participants use their energy to work for something rather than against something. By doing so, fear is replaced with a more hopeful outlook on the world. When you free up the time you spent opposing someone, even if just for a moment and in a defined area, you have more time to spend on your own goals or just on enjoying life.

• Individuals in groups involved in TCP process find that they “stretch” as people and as a group. Stepping outside one’s comfort zone may at first seem frightening, but it can also become empowering and freeing. Participants often express a sense of pride and accomplishment in having bridged a gap with someone very dissimilar.

• Working with members of a dissimilar group on a task increases the civil discourse between groups. Group members may not come to like each other or even respect all of the other’s beliefs, but the civility with which they interact will increase. Lowering animosity and hostility reduces stress and increases quality of life for everyone involved.

• The world is only as strong as its communities, and in strengthening our communities, we build a stronger, better, and happier world in which to live.