With the rising tension in China-US relations, it is increasingly difficult to find common ground in the dialogues between the two countries. This dialogue will be a psychological attempt to understand and heal the social-political divides between China and the US. 

In this event, psychologist Dr. Schneider will apply his Experiential Democracy Dialogue (EDD) framework to a dialogue between speakers from China and the US:  Dr. Victor Gao and Professor Steven Kelman. The Experiential Democracy Dialogue (EDD) developed by Dr. Kirk Schneider is a framework for communication and healing dialogue between persons with polarized viewpoints. It emphasizes curiosity, respect, empathy and openness with the prospect of common ground. Audiences will have a chance to interact with the speakers and moderator during Q & A.

Moderator

Dr. Kirk Schnedier is an American psychologist, psychotherapist, American Psychological Association (APA) presidential candidate and author of many books and articles including The Depolarizing of America: A Guidebook for Social Healing. He is president of Existential-Humanistic Institute, adjunct professor of Teachers’ College, Columbia University and Saybrook University. He created the Experiential Democracy Dialogue model. He was the editor of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology for about a decade.

Speakers

Prof. Steven Kelman is the Professor of Public Management at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and a former administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Harvard College, with a Ph.D. in government from Harvard University, also the author of many books and articles on the policymaking process and on improving the management of government organizations. Professor Kelman has a strong amateur interest in China and learning Chinese.

Dr. Victor Gao 高志凯 is Chairman of China Energy Security Institute, Vice President of the Beijing based Center for China and Globalization. He was formerly a translator for the Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. He has frequently published articles in and has been regularly interviewed by mainstream Chinese and international media, including but not limited to BBC, CNN, CCTV, New York Times. Victor is a licensed attorney-at-law in the State of New York. He holds a J.D. and a M.A. in International Relations from Yale University.

This event is co-organized by Harvard Kennedy School New England Alumni Association, Harvard Alumni for Mental Health and Harvard Club of Beijing.