In a world that often seems beset by turmoil, come for an important discussion of how ongoing dialogue can significantly reduce violent confrontation and aid desperate populations.

The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. A nongovernmental organization, the center has helped to improve life for people in more than 80 countries by resolving conflicts and advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity.

Hrair Balian leads the Carter Center’s conflict resolution efforts, which are underway in Israel-Palestine, where the Center supports a 2-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; in Liberia, to advance access to justice in a post-war setting, paying special attention to the needs of marginalized populations; in Syria ,where the center is working toward a political solution to the catastrophic war by exploring governance and constitutional reform options; and in Europe and the United States to prevent the rise of violent extremism.

Balian joined The Carter Center in 2008 as director of the Conflict Resolution Program. He also served as an adjunct professor at Emory University Law School from 2008 to 2017, teaching an advanced international negotiations seminar. Since 1991, Balian has worked in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, the independent states emerging from the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, and Africa, serving in intergovernmental organizations (the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) and nongovernmental organizations (International Crisis Group and others). Balian received his Juris Doctor degree from Golden Gate University in San Francisco.