On Friday, February 6, 2026, a pivotal online event, Neuropaz 2026, convened to delve into the critical intersection of behavioral science and the complex challenges of peace and conflict. This comprehensive virtual gathering, free to attend, brought together leading scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and funders to critically examine the current landscape, confront persistent obstacles, and chart new pathways toward global stability. The event’s theme, "Hard Truths & Paths Forward," aptly reflected the urgent need to address the multifaceted roadblocks hindering effective conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts worldwide.
The urgency surrounding conflict prevention and peace promotion has intensified significantly in recent years. Global political instability has exacerbated existing tensions, leading to ongoing conflicts that result in death, injury, and widespread displacement. Concurrently, the rapid evolution of digital technologies has introduced new arenas for contention, often amplifying divisions and fostering animosity. Behavioral science offers a crucial lens through which to understand the human elements inherent in both conflict and peace – our attitudes, emotions, social norms, traditions, and the structures of our governments and institutions. A deeper comprehension of these behavioral underpinnings is fundamental to fostering a future where humanity moves towards peace rather than perpetuating war.
Neuropaz 2026 was meticulously designed to confront these realities head-on. The event acknowledged the significant challenges facing the field, including substantial cuts to research funding and aid agencies, the pervasive influence of technologies that amplify outrage, and the unfortunate prioritization of political power over peaceful resolution by certain leaders. By fostering open and candid discussions, Neuropaz 2026 aimed to illuminate the obstacles and collectively identify innovative strategies for progress.
The full-day program, spanning from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST (New York time), offered a rich tapestry of discussions, reflections, and presentations. The event was accessible online, with a dedicated link provided for participation. For those unable to attend live, a recording of the full event was made available. The organizers also provided instructions for enabling live captioning through the Chrome browser, ensuring greater accessibility for all participants.
A Day of Critical Dialogue and Recognition
The day commenced with a Welcome and Introduction from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM EST, featuring Andrés Casas and Evan Nesterak. They set the stage for the day’s proceedings, providing an overview of the program and its objectives. A poignant tribute was paid to Emile Bruneau through a brief video highlighting his life and work, underscoring the foundational contributions of individuals to the field.
A significant moment of recognition followed with the Reflections on Building Peace segment from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM EST. In commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the historic peace agreement in Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia from 2010 to 2018 and a key architect of the peace process, was honored with the inaugural Neuropaz Lifetime Achievement Award. President Santos engaged in a reflective conversation with Andrés Casas, discussing the decade since the landmark agreement and his continued commitment to peace through his work with Fundación Compaz. This award recognized his sustained dedication to fostering reconciliation and stability in a region long impacted by conflict.
Behavioral Science in Action: Case Studies and Concepts
The program then transitioned to Building Peace in Colombia 10 Years After the Historic Peace Agreement from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM EST. This session explored two crucial lines of applied research that emerged in the aftermath of the 2016 Peace Agreement. These case studies served as compelling examples of how behavioral science is being strategically deployed to advance peacebuilding and conflict prevention, not only within Colombia but also offering transferable lessons for other regions facing similar challenges.
Following this, Betsy Levy Paluck presented on Social Gravity from 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM EST. She introduced the concept of "social gravity," described as a fundamental force in human social life that draws individuals towards shared ideas or behaviors within their social spheres. Paluck elaborated on how this phenomenon influences human conduct in contexts marked by peace and conflict, offering a nuanced understanding of collective behavioral dynamics.
The critical question of Understanding Behavior During an Active Conflict was addressed from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM EST. This session explored the value and methodologies of studying human behavior amidst ongoing conflict. Discussions were structured around three key levels: individual, community, and institutional. Insights were shared on individual interventions in Syria, research examining the propagation of hate speech in online digital communities, and the indispensable role of behavioral perspectives in constructing resilient democratic institutions. This multi-layered approach highlighted the complexity of conflict dynamics and the need for targeted behavioral interventions.
Personal Reflections and Strategic Prevention
From 12:45 PM to 2:00 PM EST, the panel Scholars Reflect on Past and Ongoing Violence provided a platform for academics deeply connected to regions experiencing past and current violence. These scholars shared their personal experiences, navigating, and rethinking their research and engagement in such sensitive environments. Their reflections offered invaluable insights into the human cost of conflict and the ethical considerations inherent in studying and addressing it.
The ambitious question, Could Behavioral Science Prevent a War?, was tackled from 2:15 PM to 3:00 PM EST. This panel convened researchers, practitioners, and technologists to discuss the potential of behavioral science in averting armed conflict. The conversation focused on the discovery and field-testing of novel solutions, the crucial role of funding these initiatives, and the impact of improved technologies for targeting, forecasting, and scaling peacebuilding efforts. The session underscored the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to translate scientific insights into actionable conflict prevention strategies.
Funding Innovations and Future Directions
The afternoon sessions turned to the critical area of financial support for peace initiatives. The panel Innovations in Peace Funding from 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM EST addressed the evolving landscape of peace funding. The discussion acknowledged the significant reduction in investments from bilateral donors and the emergence of new capital sources that often prioritize interventions with measurable outcomes. The session explored how to effectively advocate for peace funding amidst competing paradigms, investigate innovative financial models, and bridge the gap between traditional peace funders, emerging capital providers, and practitioners to ensure that vital peacebuilding efforts receive adequate support, even when their impact is challenging to quantify. This highlighted a significant challenge: demonstrating the tangible, long-term returns on investment in peace.
The event concluded with Reflections on Hard Truths from 3:50 PM to 4:15 PM EST, featuring James Robinson. He offered personal reflections on the profound truths he has encountered throughout his career, discussing lessons learned, instances of changing perspectives, and his future outlook. This introspective segment provided a valuable personal perspective on the enduring challenges and evolving understanding within the field.
Finally, Conclusion and Goodbye from 4:15 PM to 4:30 PM EST, led by Andrés Casas and Evan Nesterak, brought Neuropaz 2026 to a close. They summarized the key takeaways from the day’s discussions and outlined avenues for attendees to access resources from speakers and remain engaged with the ongoing work in behavioral science and peacebuilding.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The Neuropaz 2026 event underscored a growing consensus within the global community: addressing conflict and fostering peace requires a deeply human-centered approach. By integrating insights from behavioral science, stakeholders can move beyond traditional diplomatic and military strategies to understand and influence the underlying drivers of conflict. The discussions highlighted the potential for behavioral interventions to de-escalate tensions, promote reconciliation, and build more resilient societies.
The challenges identified – funding constraints, the amplification of division by technology, and political expediency – are substantial. However, the event also showcased the ingenuity and dedication of individuals and organizations working to overcome these hurdles. The focus on applied research, exemplified by the Colombian case studies, demonstrates a tangible shift towards evidence-based interventions. The recognition of Juan Manuel Santos further validated the importance of leadership and sustained commitment in peace processes.
As the world grapples with an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, events like Neuropaz 2026 serve as vital platforms for knowledge sharing, strategic planning, and collaborative action. The insights generated from this gathering are expected to inform future research, policy development, and on-the-ground initiatives aimed at building a more peaceful and stable world. The emphasis on "hard truths" suggests a mature understanding of the difficulties involved, while the pursuit of "paths forward" signals a hopeful and proactive approach to tackling some of humanity’s most pressing challenges. The availability of the event recording ensures that these critical conversations can continue to inform and inspire a broader audience in the years to come.