War Stories Peace Stories: Peace Conflict & The Media • A Symposium held at The New York Times Center, New York, NY • 2018

On April 11, 2018 journalists, editors, and peacebuilders gathered to explore some fundamental realities of the way war is energetically reported and peace often is not. Presenters and panelists included Sebastian Junger, Alexis Okeowo, Robert J. Rosenthal, Zainab Salbi, and many others. Panels explored questions such as: Does covering violence beget more violence? Can peace be a good story? At what cost do we report the dramatic story?

There are other stories just outside our field of view—stories of extraordinary resilience, of local or quiet heroes, of communities pushing back effectively in nonviolent ways. The stories we sell and tell have extraordinary power to shape policy and perception. Stories can change hearts and minds—stories can end wars, bring about peace and save lives. A good story can change the world.

War Stories Peace Stories was the created by Jamil Simon of Spectrum Media in collaboration with Peace Direct, Pulitzer Center, Peter Agoos, Mari Badger, Donna DeAngelis, Elizabeth Bartle, and many advisors and partners.

[Photos by @samhollenshead]