Traditional approaches to peace-building approach the issue on two distinct levels, with minimal interaction between the two:
At the grassroots level, advocacy aims to raise awareness, push innovative methods, and organize mass movements of common people, who often have little access to the power to make change.
At the top level, there are negotiations that involve only elites such as diplomats and politicians, as well as other senior decision-makers in business, academia, and civil society, who often occupy entrenched positions and are unwilling to take the risk of trying untested solutions.
Frequently, there is minimal interaction between these two levels.
STRAIT TALK'S THEORY OF CHANGE
Strait Talk’s theory of change is rooted in a new idea: If you can identify the right seeds for change and nurture them effectively, you can achieve grassroots-driven change at the top level. Strait Talk does this in three stages:
Identify 18-35 year-olds who exhibit leadership potential and are committed to the Taiwan Strait issue.
Transform these individuals through a week of Interactive Conflict Resolution, conversations with scholars and practitioners, and intensive relationship-building with fellow delegates and organizers.
Propel our alumni, both delegates and organizers, into positions of influence and success faster, farther, and with a stronger support network than they could have achieved on their own.
