On Friday, February 6, 2026, a significant online event, Neuropaz 2026, will convene leading minds at the critical intersection of behavioral science and the complex challenges of peace and conflict. This free-to-attend virtual summit, scheduled from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST (New York/Bogotá time), aims to confront the persistent obstacles in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, fostering candid discussions to illuminate new pathways forward. The event will be accessible via a dedicated online link, with a recording to be made available for later viewing. For those requiring real-time accessibility, instructions are provided for enabling live captioning through the Chrome browser.
The Urgency of Behavioral Insights in a Volatile World
The theme, "Hard Truths & Paths Forward," underscores the increasingly pressing nature of global efforts to prevent conflict and cultivate peace. Current geopolitical landscapes are marked by ongoing conflicts, resulting in significant loss of life, injuries, and displacement. The destabilization of international politics has further inflamed already volatile regions. Simultaneously, the rapid evolution of digital technologies has introduced new dimensions to human conflict, often amplifying animosity and polarization.
At its core, the pursuit of peace is intrinsically linked to understanding human nature. Our attitudes, emotions, ingrained norms, cultural traditions, and the structures of our governments and institutions all play a pivotal role in shaping both conflict and peace. A deeper comprehension of who we are, individually and collectively, is deemed essential for envisioning and achieving a future where humanity moves towards peaceful coexistence rather than perpetual conflict. Neuropaz 2026 acknowledges the myriad challenges that impede progress in this field, including significant funding cuts to vital research and aid organizations, the pervasive influence of technologies that exacerbate outrage, and political agendas that often prioritize power over peace. The summit is designed to bring together scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and funders in an open and honest dialogue to confront these impediments and chart a course toward tangible solutions.
A Day of Insight: Program Highlights and Chronology
The comprehensive program for Neuropaz 2026 is structured to provide a multifaceted exploration of behavioral science’s role in peace and conflict. While session times are subject to minor adjustments, the overarching schedule offers a compelling roadmap for the day.
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM EST (New York): Welcome and Introduction
The event will commence with introductory remarks from Andrés Casas and Evan Nesterak, who will provide an overview of the day’s agenda. A poignant tribute will be paid to the late Emile Bruneau, with a brief video highlighting his life and work, underscoring the dedication of the event to his legacy.
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM EST (New York): Reflections on Building Peace
In a significant segment, Neuropaz will honor Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia (2010-2018) and a key architect of the historic peace agreement in Colombia. This session coincides with the tenth anniversary of the agreement and will feature President Santos receiving the inaugural Neuropaz Lifetime Achievement Award. He will engage in a conversation with Andrés Casas to reflect on the decade since the signing of the accord and discuss his continued commitment to peacebuilding through Fundación Compaz. This award recognizes his enduring contributions to fostering reconciliation and stability in a region long affected by conflict.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM EST (New York): Building Peace in Colombia 10 Years After the Historic Peace Agreement
This session will delve into two crucial lines of applied research that have emerged in the wake of the 2016 Peace Agreement in Colombia. These case studies are presented as powerful exemplars of how behavioral science principles are being effectively deployed to advance peace and mitigate conflict, both within Colombia and in other contexts globally. The focus will be on the practical application of behavioral insights in post-conflict environments.
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM EST (New York): Social Gravity
Betsy Levy Paluck will introduce the concept of "social gravity," a fundamental force in human social dynamics that draws individuals toward shared ideas and behaviors within their social spheres. Her presentation will explore how this principle influences human conduct in situations of both peace and conflict, offering a framework for understanding collective behavior and social influence.
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM EST (New York): Understanding Behavior During an Active Conflict
This critical session will address the value and methodology of understanding human behavior amidst active conflict. The discussion will span three key levels: the individual, the community, and the institutional. Speakers will share insights from interventions in Syria, research on the dissemination of hate speech within online digital communities, and the essential role of a behavioral perspective in constructing resilient democratic institutions.
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM EST (New York): Scholars Reflect on Past and Ongoing Violence
This panel will feature scholars who have personal connections to regions experiencing past or ongoing violence. They will share their reflections on how they navigate, rethink, and conduct their work within these deeply personal contexts. The session aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the researcher’s positionality and the emotional and ethical considerations involved in studying conflict zones.
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM EST (New York): Could Behavioral Science Prevent a War?
A forward-looking discussion will explore the potential for behavioral science to proactively prevent warfare. The panel will bring together researchers, practitioners, and technologists to examine the discovery and field-testing of new solutions, the critical role of funding these initiatives, and the impact of technological advancements in targeting, forecasting, and scaling interventions. This session highlights the potential for behavioral science to shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in global security.
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM EST (New York): Innovations in Peace Funding
The landscape of peace funding is undergoing significant shifts. Bilateral donors have reduced their investments, while new capital sources are emerging, often with a preference for interventions demonstrating quantifiable outcomes. This session will investigate how to advocate for peace funding in this evolving environment, explore innovative funding models, and examine strategies for bridging the gap between traditional peace funders, emerging capital providers, and practitioners to ensure that impactful peace initiatives, even those with less easily demonstrable outcomes, receive necessary support.
3:50 PM – 4:15 PM EST (New York): Reflections on Hard Truths
James Robinson will offer reflections on the significant challenges and "hard truths" he has encountered throughout his distinguished career. He will share his learning experiences, instances where his perspectives have evolved, and his vision for future endeavors in the field of peace and conflict studies.
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM EST (New York): Conclusion and Goodbye
Andrés Casas and Evan Nesterak will provide concluding remarks, formally closing Neuropaz 2026. They will also offer guidance on accessing resources from the event’s speakers and suggest avenues for continued engagement with the important work being presented.
Contextualizing Neuropaz: A Decade of Evolving Challenges
The Neuropaz initiative, with its focus on the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and peace, has been a growing force in promoting evidence-based approaches to conflict resolution. The framing of "Neuropaz 2026" suggests a forward-looking perspective, building upon a foundation of research and practice established over preceding years. The event’s timing, in early 2026, is significant. It arrives at a juncture where global conflict dynamics are increasingly complex, influenced by factors such as climate change, economic disparities, and the pervasive reach of misinformation.
The emphasis on "hard truths" acknowledges the often-uncomfortable realities of conflict, including the limitations of existing interventions and the deep-seated psychological and social factors that perpetuate violence. The inclusion of a session dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the Colombian Peace Agreement is particularly noteworthy. The agreement, signed in 2016, represented a monumental effort to end over five decades of armed conflict. Its anniversary provides a critical moment to assess its successes, persistent challenges, and the ongoing role of behavioral science in consolidating peace. Colombia’s experience, marked by both progress and setbacks, offers valuable lessons for other nations grappling with similar transitions.
Furthermore, the explicit mention of funding challenges highlights a critical bottleneck in the field. Reports from organizations like the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) have consistently indicated shifts in global military spending and development aid priorities. The reduction in bilateral aid for peacebuilding efforts, as mentioned in the program, is a tangible reality that necessitates innovative approaches to resource mobilization. The growing interest in impact investing and blended finance models presents both an opportunity and a challenge for peacebuilding organizations seeking sustainable funding.
Broader Impact and Implications
The Neuropaz 2026 event is poised to make a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse on peace and conflict. By bringing together diverse stakeholders – from academic researchers to on-the-ground practitioners and policymakers – the summit aims to foster a more integrated and effective approach to tackling global security challenges. The focus on behavioral science is particularly timely, as an increasing body of evidence demonstrates its utility in understanding and influencing human decision-making in ways that can de-escalate tensions, promote cooperation, and build resilience against violent extremism.
The insights generated from Neuropaz 2026 could inform the development of more targeted and effective interventions, policy recommendations, and funding strategies. The emphasis on "hard truths" suggests a commitment to evidence-based practice, even when the findings are challenging or uncomfortable. This intellectual rigor is crucial for advancing the field beyond well-intentioned but potentially ineffective approaches. The event’s commitment to accessibility through online participation and the provision of a recording ensures that its valuable content can reach a wider global audience, fostering a more informed and engaged community dedicated to building a more peaceful world. The discussions on leveraging technology for peacebuilding also signal an awareness of the dual-edged nature of digital tools, which can both foment division and offer unprecedented opportunities for connection and positive change. Ultimately, Neuropaz 2026 represents a critical moment for reflection, learning, and the collaborative charting of a path toward a more peaceful and secure future for all.