From Belfast to America: Learning to Prevent Political Violence and Heal Division

What can one of the world’s most protracted conflicts teach us about the state of American democracy? That’s the question a group of U.S. faith and civic leaders set out to explore during a weeklong trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland, hosted by Rethinking Conflict in partnership with The Carter Center.  

The trip brought together American leaders from across generations, political ideologies, and faiths to study the roots, costs, and resolution of the Troubles, Northern Ireland’s decades-long sectarian conflict. The experience also challenged them to ask questions about whether the United States is on a similar path toward political violence.  

Participants heard directly from survivors of the conflict, including those who lost loved ones during the violence, as well as from peacebuilders who helped Northern Ireland transition toward peace. The delegation also examined how division can be fueled by religion, politics, and dehumanization — warning signs many participants recognized in today’s American political landscape.  

Rethinking Conflict and The Carter Center organized the gathering as part of an ongoing effort to reduce political polarization and strengthen civic resilience in the United States. Participants left with stronger relationships across differences, practical lessons for preventing conflict, and a renewed commitment to building trust in their communities.  

This video captures their journey and shares the powerful lessons Northern Ireland still has to offer the world.