Unique Way to Reduce Conflict

Sometimes the simplest of solutions are the most difficult to see until someone else illuminates them. This was the case for me until reading about the amazing efforts to reduce violent crimes and conflict in Washington DC. This was highlighted in the Washington Post by Emily Davies, who authored an article on a new privately-funded Academy whose intentions are training for intervention on the streets of Washington.

No place in the United States is immune to the increased crime that has resulted since 2020. Some places have had it worse than others and one of those is Washington DC. One person, who wanted to make the world a better place, funded a new process that has such basic principles yet such far-reaching implications. Roger Marmet found this nonprofit after his son was killed by a stray bullet in 2018. This restaurateur partnered with Peace for DC, a nonprofit, which is funding an educational process lasting 13 weeks, with a cohort of 25, to teach others about behavioral therapy and how to reduce conflict. The idea is that if we have better mechanisms to deal with difficult situations, we will have less violence. And doesn’t that make a lot of sense?

What I love about this program is it deals with the direct issue at hand. We should all try to reduce stress, trial, and tribulation…. but when we can’t, having cognitive and behavioral skills to reduce anger and negative actions is a way to reduce conflict, and thus, crime. It seems so simple, yet I have never thought about it until reading this article.

It’s also a reminder that one person who wants to change the world, who wants to make a difference, is all that it takes to affect other people’s lives. It is the essence of what philanthropy is. It’s also a reminder that philanthropy can come from any person at any time, and isn’t restricted to the uber-wealthy. It’s a matter of choice in wanting to make the world a better place.