Forward Thinking hold meetings in Hebron, 19th June 2019

On the 19th June 2019, Forward Thinking invited Professor Alain Lemperuer to host a presentation and discussion with students at Hebron University. Professor Lemperuer gave an interactive presentation focussing on the preparatory steps that help negotiations succeed, but which are often overlooked.

Alain supports responsible negotiation worldwide through research, executive training and consulting. He published a dozen books, namely "The First Move. A Negotiator’s Companion" that appeared in many languages, and contributed over 100 articles and book chapters. His research develops the "responsible negotiation" framework, applying it for example to leadership, and humanitarian negotiation. He is the Alan B. Slifka professor and director of the Conflict Resolution and Coexistence Program at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management. He is an affiliated faculty and executive committee member of the Program on Negotiation (PON) at Harvard Law School, where he is the academic editor of the PON Negotiation Briefings and delivers PON Global executive seminars.

The meeting at Hebron University  resulted in a lively discussion with the students on leadership, strategic negotiation, how the themes presented apply to the Palestinian context, the effect of external influences on negotiations and the role of young people in political decision making. 

Later in the day, Forward Thinking facilitated another roundtable discussion with a cross-factional group of political leaders in Hebron. This discussion provided a space for frank exchange on the current challenges facing Palestinian unity, and issues particular to Hebron. The group included leaders who have been previously engaged in Forward Thinking workshops, as well as new participants, and this allowed the discussion to build upon this engagement and bring in new perspectives. Over the course of discussions, participants  identifying practical steps for cooperation based on mutual respect and understanding between groups.

This session is one of a series of activities facilitated by Forward Thinking across the West Bank and Israeli in the coming days.