Neuropaz 2026, a significant online event dedicated to exploring the intricate intersection of behavioral science and the complex dynamics of peace and conflict, convened on Friday, February 6, 2026. The day-long virtual summit, free to attend, brought together a distinguished assembly of leading scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and funders to confront the persistent challenges and chart innovative pathways toward a more peaceful world. The event, meticulously curated to address "Hard Truths & Paths Forward," aimed to foster candid dialogue and illuminate actionable strategies in an era marked by escalating global instability and the pervasive influence of digital technologies on societal divisions.
A Critical Juncture for Peacebuilding
The urgency of preventing conflict and fostering peace has never been more pronounced. The world continues to grapple with ongoing conflicts, resulting in tragic loss of life, widespread displacement, and profound human suffering. Global political instability has amplified existing tensions, creating fertile ground for further unrest. Compounding these challenges are the rapid advancements in digital technologies, which, while offering avenues for connection, have also emerged as potent new arenas for ideological battles and the dissemination of divisive narratives.
The very fabric of peace and conflict is interwoven with human behavior, encompassing individual attitudes, collective emotions, ingrained social norms, cultural traditions, and the structures of governance and institutional frameworks. A deeper understanding of our own psychological and social predispositions is therefore paramount to realizing the potential for a world at peace rather than one embroiled in perpetual conflict.
The theme of Neuropaz 2026, "Hard Truths & Paths Forward," directly acknowledges the formidable obstacles that characterize this critical field of work. These include, but are not limited to, the alarming reduction in research funding and support for aid agencies, the amplification of outrage and polarization through digital platforms, and the political priorities that often elevate power acquisition over genuine peacebuilding efforts. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, Neuropaz 2026 sought to confront these impediments head-on, fostering open and honest conversations to illuminate new and effective paths forward.
Program Highlights: A Day of Insight and Action
The meticulously structured program of Neuropaz 2026 unfolded throughout Friday, February 6, 2026, commencing at 9:00 AM EST and concluding at 4:30 PM EST. The event was accessible globally, with specific time zone accommodations ensuring broad participation: 2:00 PM – 9:30 PM London, 3:00 PM – 10:30 PM Berlin/Lagos, and 5:00 PM – 12:30 AM Nairobi. Attendees were encouraged to utilize the Chrome browser with live captioning enabled for enhanced accessibility, with detailed instructions provided.
Welcome and Introduction (9:00 AM – 9:30 AM EST)
The event commenced with opening remarks by Andrés Casas and Evan Nesterak, who provided an overview of the day’s program and its overarching objectives. A poignant video tribute to the life and work of Émile Bruneau, to whom the event was dedicated, set a somber yet inspiring tone for the discussions to follow. Émile Bruneau was a notable figure in the field of peace psychology, whose research often focused on the psychological consequences of conflict and the pathways to reconciliation.
Reflections on Building Peace and the Inaugural Neuropaz Lifetime Achievement Award (9:30 AM – 10:00 AM EST)
A significant moment of the day was the presentation of the inaugural Neuropaz Lifetime Achievement Award to Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia (2010-2018) and a pivotal leader in the nation’s historic peace process. This recognition coincided with the tenth anniversary of the peace agreement in Colombia, a landmark achievement that brought an end to over five decades of armed conflict. President Santos engaged in a candid conversation with Andrés Casas, reflecting on the decade that has passed since the agreement and detailing his ongoing commitment to peace through his work with Fundación Compaz. His leadership in navigating the complex negotiations and subsequent implementation of the peace accord has been widely lauded, offering invaluable lessons for other conflict zones.
Building Peace in Colombia: A Decade Post-Agreement (10:00 AM – 10:30 AM EST)
This session delved into the practical applications of behavioral science in post-conflict settings, using Colombia’s peacebuilding journey as a case study. Two distinct lines of applied research, emerging in the wake of the 2016 Peace Agreement, were highlighted. These initiatives served as powerful illustrations of how behavioral insights can be strategically employed to foster peace and prevent the resurgence of conflict, both within Colombia and in other regions facing similar challenges. The session underscored the long-term commitment required for sustainable peace and the role of evidence-based interventions.
Social Gravity: Understanding Influence in Peace and Conflict (10:30 AM – 11:15 AM EST)
Betsy Levy Paluck introduced the compelling concept of "social gravity," a fundamental force in human social life that draws individuals towards shared ideas and behaviors within their social networks. Paluck explained how this phenomenon exerts a significant influence on individual and group actions in contexts of both peace and conflict. Her research, often drawing on large-scale social experiments, explores how to leverage or counteract social gravity to promote positive social change and mitigate destructive tendencies. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for designing effective interventions that can shift collective attitudes and behaviors towards peace.
Understanding Behavior During Active Conflict (11:15 AM – 12:15 PM EST)
This critical session explored the value and methodology of understanding human behavior amidst ongoing conflict. The discussion was structured across three key levels: individual, community, and institutional. Participants heard about interventions being implemented at the individual level in Syria, research examining the spread of hate speech in online digital communities, and the indispensable role of behavioral perspectives in constructing durable democratic institutions. The complexities of collecting data and intervening in active conflict zones were addressed, highlighting the ethical considerations and methodological adaptations required.
Scholars Reflect on Past and Ongoing Violence (12:45 PM – 2:00 PM EST)
A deeply personal and introspective panel featured scholars who possess direct connections to regions affected by past and ongoing violence. These academics shared their lived experiences, offering profound reflections on how they navigate, understand, and reframe their academic work in light of their personal engagement with conflict. This session provided a vital counterpoint to purely analytical approaches, emphasizing the human element and the unique insights gained from direct experience. Their perspectives shed light on the emotional toll and ethical considerations inherent in studying and addressing violence.
Could Behavioral Science Prevent a War? (2:15 PM – 3:00 PM EST)
This forward-looking panel engaged researchers, practitioners, and technologists in a discussion about the potential of behavioral science to proactively prevent armed conflict. The conversation focused on the essential components for such an ambitious undertaking: discovering and field-testing novel solutions, securing adequate funding for these initiatives, and leveraging technology to improve targeting, forecasting, and scaling of interventions. The session underscored the multi-faceted nature of war prevention, requiring collaboration across diverse sectors.
Innovations in Peace Funding (3:00 PM – 3:45 PM EST)
The landscape of peace funding is undergoing a significant transformation. Bilateral donors have substantially reduced their investments in peacebuilding and foreign aid, while new capital sources are emerging with a strong emphasis on interventions demonstrating clear, quantifiable outcomes. This session critically examined how to advocate for peace investments in this evolving financial ecosystem. It explored innovative funding models that could provide a sustainable path forward, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional peace funders, emerging capital providers, and practitioners. The challenge of demonstrating impact, particularly for interventions where outcomes are not easily measured, was a central theme. The discussion highlighted the need for flexible and innovative funding mechanisms that recognize the long-term and often indirect benefits of peacebuilding efforts.
Reflections on Hard Truths (3:50 PM – 4:15 PM EST)
In a closing keynote, James Robinson offered a personal reflection on the "hard truths" he has encountered throughout his distinguished career. He shared insights into what he has learned, the reasons for shifts in his perspective, and his future trajectory in the field. This session provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to gain wisdom from a seasoned expert who has grappled with the complexities of societal change and conflict resolution over many years. His candid account emphasized the continuous learning and adaptation required in addressing profound societal challenges.
Conclusion and Goodbye (4:15 PM – 4:30 PM EST)
Andrés Casas and Evan Nesterak brought Neuropaz 2026 to a close, offering concluding remarks and providing attendees with information on accessing resources from the event’s speakers and avenues for continued engagement with the ongoing work in behavioral science and peacebuilding.
Broader Implications and Future Directions
Neuropaz 2026 served as a crucial platform for advancing the dialogue on how behavioral science can be more effectively harnessed to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The event underscored the growing recognition that understanding human decision-making, biases, and social dynamics is not merely an academic pursuit but a vital component of effective peacebuilding and conflict prevention strategies.
The discussions surrounding funding challenges, particularly the shift towards quantifiable outcomes, highlight a critical need for better methods to measure the impact of peace initiatives. Behavioral scientists and practitioners must collaborate to develop robust evaluation frameworks that capture the nuanced, long-term benefits of their work, even when immediate, tangible results are difficult to isolate.
Furthermore, the emphasis on the role of digital technologies in exacerbating conflict points to the urgent need for research into counteracting online polarization and promoting constructive dialogue in the digital sphere. The insights shared by scholars directly affected by violence offer a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict and the importance of incorporating lived experiences into research and policy.
The success of Neuropaz 2026 lies not only in the insightful discussions it facilitated but also in its potential to catalyze future collaborations and innovations. By bringing together a diverse range of experts and stakeholders, the event has laid a foundation for more integrated and effective approaches to building a more peaceful and equitable world, grounded in a deeper understanding of human behavior. The insights gained from this gathering are poised to inform future research, policy development, and on-the-ground interventions aimed at mitigating conflict and fostering lasting peace.