Mindbridge Case Statement

SINGLE-LINE LOGO TWO-COLOR (Does white blurred line count as a color? ask Charlie)

STACKED LOGO (Does white blurred line count as a color? ask Charlie)

STACKED LOGO ONE-COLOR (SOFT)

STACKED ONE-COLOR (HARD)

STACKED ONE-COLOR (HARD) NO BLUR ON ANY LINES

This is

Mindbridge.

To Change Hearts and Minds, We First Must Learn How to

Where science meets human rights.

Connection and “bridging” between psychological and neurobiological

Access Them.

knowledge is essential to creating long-lasting, effective change. For human rights defenders to find ways to eliminate racist rhetoric and extremist ideology, methods historically steeped in policy and reporting must take an integrated approach.

Research indicates that up to 95% of our behaviors are unconscious. For decades the fields of psychology and neuroscience have investigated the deep-seated drivers of human rights abuses such as bias, racism,

Mindbridge is a nonprofit organization dedicated

discrimination and dehumanization of social groups as well as the mechanisms

to transforming the impact of local, national and

underlying empathy, healing and empowerment.

international human rights work by integrating psychological and neurobiological applied science.

It is ultimately through our understanding of how the brain gives rise to the mind that we no longer work to simply combat human rights abuses in an

The time is now. The last few years have seen

endless cycle of violence, but guide the psyche towards the strengthening

an unprecedented rise in human rights abuses

of society built upon the tenets of human rights itself.

worldwide powered by autocratic systems, climate

2

change and the most recent pandemic. The

Today, Mindbridge translates and applies the latest in psychological and

same period has seen remarkable advances in

neurobiological research to encourage and leverage rights-based, inclusive

psychological and neurobiological research, where

public narratives; counter hate speech and race-based violence and design

investigators unlock the unconscious and often

preventative measures to impede human rights abuses before they begin –

implicit drivers underlying bias, hate and…possibility.

all becoming effective parts of the tool kits of human rights advocates.

3

A MULTILAYERED APPROACH

The Layers of Progress

Mindbridge activities work towards: • The elimination of racism, discrimination and othering • The establishment of human rights doctrine • The healing and centering of marginalized voices

2

Strategies

Engagement

1

Domains of

Directives

Goals &

The heart of the Mindbridge practice consists of a 3-dimensional design.

3

Directives and goals are tailored to their

In order to be considered for development,

region of engagement: local, national or

Mindbridge projects must fall into one (or

international areas of implementation.

more) of five strategies for implementation:

Dimensions 1 and 2 are layered to inform programming moving forward.

• Application • Assessment • Education • Research • Mobilization Each represents a unique approach to fulfilling the Mindbridge directives and goals.

4

5

GOALS & DIRECTIVES

Eliminating Racism & Discrimination

OV E RV I E W

To achieve basic human rights – including the right to life, liberty, free

Eleanor Roosevelt was head of the US delegation and chair of the

speech, health and education – we have to address both the historic

drafting committee, and while she personally supported White,

as well as contemporary way in which bias, racism and discrimination

the committee rejected the proposal. A historic moment for human

is used to undermine them. Mindbridge applies the vast realm of

rights was lost and from that point forward the U.S. relationship with

psychology and neurobiological research to these ends.

human rights would take an international orientation, failing decade

The concept of human rights as a common standard and goal gained urgency in the wake of World War II and the Holocaust. The United

after decade to address its own human rights abuses in the past as well as in the current day.

Nations spearheaded the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a

In order to promote human rights within the Unites States, we

historic document adopted and co-signed in 1948 by nations around

must reckon with our past and address the way in which racism

the globe. However, there is an asterisk to the story.

and discrimination has impacted millions, both at home as well

In 1947 Mr. Walter White, then president of the NAACP, submitted a brief to the human rights committee entitled, “An Appeal to the World: A Statement of Denial of Human Rights to Minorities in the Case of Citizens of Negro Descent in the United States of America

as abroad. As a result, much of Mindbridge’s programming is oriented around leveraging the latest in psychological and neurobiological science towards addressing and mitigating bias, racism and discrimination.

and an Appeal to the United Nations for Redress.” Former First Lady

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM

The Implicit Bias Project The Implicit Bias Project (IBP) is a comprehensive training program customized for organizations public sector groups (such

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM

Addressing Hate: Assessing Attitudes and Awareness of Hate Crimes, Hate Speech and Discrimination.

as schools and communities) and government offices seeking to create more just and equitable environments. Short to long-term

This study aims at providing an understanding of public

trainings capitalize on our neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to

attitudes and awareness of: (a) the rights of minorities and

change over time) to mitigate bias and discriminatory behavior.

vulnerable groups within the United States, (b) the occurrence

Whenever possible Mindbridge works to sync with community-

and experience of discrimination, hate speech and race-based

led efforts currently underway to dismantle structures of

violence as well as (c) state legislation against discrimination,

oppression and othering.

hate speech and hate crimes. Further this research aims at linking public attitudes and awareness to existing redress mechanisms and their effectiveness.

6

7

GOALS & DIRECTIVES

We cannot make decisions and take action on something we have no experience with. So, if we want people to support and promote human rights, we need to start telling them what that looks like. If we only tell them what abuse of human rights looks like, that’s all they will know.”

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM

Recognizing Human Rights

Laura Ligouri, E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r, Mindbridge in an interview for Oxfam, N a r r a t i v e Po w e r & Collective Action, Vo l . 1

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM

Maine Human Rights Summit

JustLabs

Maine joined the world in celebrating Human Rights Day on

JustLabs is a nonprofit organization that seeks to catalyze

December 10, 2019 though the launch of the Maine Human Rights

collaboration across the human rights field. Recognizing that

Summit, which provided an opportunity for members of Maine’s

this moment in human rights history is not necessarily an “end

diverse human rights communities to come together, learn how to

time” or “crisis” within the field, but a moment of profound

better advocate for one another, to stand for our collective civil,

transition, JustLabs seeks to support this transition through

economic, political and cultural rights, and to support each other’s

radical collaboration and reinvention of the human rights

efforts. Mindbridge founded the summit and organized the

narrative. Mindbridge supports JustLabs sessions around

planning committee comprised of Catholic Charities – Maine

the globe working with organizations in Armenia, Australia,

Refugee Immigration services, Cross Cultural Community

Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia and Ukraine.

Services, Preble Street – Anti-Trafficking Services, EqualityMaine, Restorative Justice Institute of Maine, the Maine Human Rights Commission, the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine as well as UnifyMaine.

In these sessions, 3-4 clients (nonprofit human rights organizations centrally positioned within their respective countries) are selected for the work and paired with JustLabs representatives and support team members (such as Mindbridge) to engage I activities that reinvent the organization’s

OV E RV I E W

narrative and path forward. When necessary, Mindbridge follows human rights is understood and actively constructed within society.

necessarily sought to bring human rights abuses to light. However

Research from psychology and neuroscience have shown why this

the simultaneously rise of populist governments throughout the

change is imperative highlighting (1) how repeated exposure to

world has led to a suppression of human rights actors, delegitimizing

accounts of human rights abuses may inadvertently prime individuals

the value of human rights as a concept in their societies and

to engage in the very acts we hope to eliminate while (2) the brain’s

hindering the effectiveness of traditional monitoring and reporting

ability to imagine or simulate new experiences is fundamentally

practices. Some had called this the “end times” for the human

based on our ability to remember. Without a way to envision what is

rights experiment as mounting pressure exposed the fault lines

human rights is, we cannot build it.

Neuropsych HRD Lab –

Mindbridge is dedicated to harnessing psychological and

Psychology & Neuroscience for Human Rights Defenders in Online Course

and blind spots of contemporary practice. Others saw this as an opportunity: an opportunity to retool the human rights playbook by moving beyond conventional audiences and building bridges while, importantly, crafting a new narrative that moves away from traditional methods of naming and shaming to one that actively crafts a vision of human rights in today’s society.

Today’s human rights must do more than documenting and monitoring human rights violations but work to craft the way in which

8

the nonprofit organization, contributing support for the project as

Throughout the last few decades, much human rights work has

it continues outside of the JustLabs arena.

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM

neurobiological science where a new model of human rights is made manifest in the world. In-house research emphasizes the need to

The Neuropsych HRD Lab is an intensive, hands-on online learning event that makes accessible fundamental psychological and

devise messaging and programming that actively promotes what

neurobiological processes for human-rights defenders. Grounded in research and filled with interactive activities built to critically engage

human rights is as a means for producing it. Mindbridge programming

with and apply psychological and neurobiological insight to human rights programming, media and intervention design, this course

in this arena capitalizes on the latest research to help support human

fosters the knowledge and skills necessary to bridge science to application. The HRD Lab is a collaborative effort built in partnership with

rights messaging, campaign development and programming.

Thomas Coombes (former Head of Brand & Deputy Director of Communications at Amnesty International and founder of Hope-Based Communications) and Gabe Twose, Senior International Affairs Officer at the American Psychological Association.

9

GOALS & DIRECTIVES

Healing & Centering of Marginalized Voices

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM

Emotional Resiliency

Addressing Hate:

in the Time of COVID-19

Assessing Attitudes and Awareness of Hate Crimes, Hate Speech and Discrimination.

Mindbridge responded to the crisis with Managing Stress & Cultivating Emotional Resiliency in the Time of COVID-19, an

This project aims to develop a way for human rights groups to

interactive online seminar designed to address the neuropsychology

counter online hate speech by marketing social media content

of the moment. The session including an exploration of emotion,

that nurtures tolerance, empathy and solidarity. Social media

anxiety, loneliness, the impact of social media consumption during

offers an unprecedented platform for disseminating hate speech

a pandemic among other topics. The seminar was designed in

that can expose entire groups of people to overwhelming levels

partnership with Arabella Perez, LCSW, within the University of

of dehumanizing rhetoric that lays the groundwork for atrocities

Because healing is too often an afterthought to harm, Mindbridge has recently added this third

New England’s Social Work & Trauma Certificate program. Ms.

and other human rights abuses.

directive and goal to its corpus of work in order to provide a means by which neuroscience and

Perez facilitated conversations around coping mechanisms and

psychology can support healing.

incorporated activities for participants to help develop emotional

OV E R V I E W

In evaluating trauma, how are we considering the ways in which individuals and communities persevere under difficult circumstances? What are the means by which we restore mental, physical and spiritual health following decades of discrimination and bias?

resiliency throughout this time. Sessions were capped at 100 participants each and filled within 48 hours, with individuals throughout the United States participating.

It can also be used to “rehumanize” those people in the eyes of target audiences. Using psychology, neuroscience and the latest research in communication design, this project will test whether rights groups can adapt to this digital landscape and nurture tolerance and respect by using social media to promote pro-social behavior with positive, unifying stories delivered to the social media feeds of specific audience segments.

The project will start with psychologically-tested focus groups to identify what stories most effectively instill tolerance, unity and connections that can withstand divisive “us vs them” rhetoric and build support and trust between communities that others seek to divide. This project will pilot in Myanmar working to mitigate fears, prejudices and other societal factors contributing to the Rohingya genocide while centering the production of rehumanizing content in an effort to promote safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees back to their home country.

10

11

DOMAINS & ENGAGEMENT

STRATEGIES

R EG I O N

R EG I O N

Local

National

Mindbridge works with a range of organizations within the state

The United States is a study in contrasts: the home of the

of Maine, including municipalities, schools, nonprofit organizations,

Declaration of Independence and white supremacy, the land of

police department and beyond. Topics are often oriented around

genocide and opportunity, a beacon of equality, safety and asylum,

considerations related to bias, racism and discrimination as

and a bastion of sink-or-swim capitalism. Our contradictions and

well as methods of improving equitable practices within schools

strengths make the U.S. a unique environment for human rights

and communities.

work, where divergent views and opinions have real-world impact

Educate

Research

The latest science is made accessible through workshops,

Interdisciplinary methods and procedures are used to design,

seminars and publications.

collect and analyze data answering questions of central importance to human rights organizations and civil society spaces

Mobilize Setting in motion new concepts, understanding and

Apply

partnerships that catalyze movements forward.

Research and methodology is tested, adapted and practiced in real-world scenarios to affect change

in people’s lives. Mindbridge links the understandings of the deep

Assess

psychological and neurobiological mechanisms that help to drive

Psychological and neurobiological tools are used to

social conflict and violence to the societal and historical roots of

help evaluate program performance and impact.

American society to transform human rights in our own backyard.

R EG I O N

International Human rights work has a rich palette of international expression. What is less common and desperately needed is the application of psychology and neuroscience within the international landscape. Mindbridge international work often partners with large government organizations, such as the European Union – Fundamental Rights Agency, or large nongovernmental organizations, such as Human Rights Watch or Amnesty International, to work with a diverse array of human rights defenders from all over the globe.

12

13

Will you join us?

Today, science advocacy in both public policy as well as civil society is not simply important, it is crucial.

Numerous public articles detail the myriad ways in which populist administrations world-wide have worked to discredit, and at times, remove scientists from scientific panels and from engaging directly with the public themselves. The advent of fake news means conspiracy theories, increased polarization, the discreditation of sources, trolling and emotionally provocative content have effectively drawn attention and support away from science and further towards populist leaders and their movements. It is therefore critically important that science and science advocacy enter the public sphere to accomplish three key roles: (1) to translate scientific findings to the public and human rights-based organizations in ways that make the information accessible and impactful, (2) to use science as [X] where facts are not only supported in the face of “fake news” and opinion but promoted and (3) to use the most recent findings in psychology and neuroscience in support and advancement of human rights world-wide.

Mindbridge provides that connection, bridging science to application in service of human rights defenders across the globe.

• We are committed to centering marginalized communities and the voices of those most impacted by human rights abuses • We foster collaborative partnerships with community-led organizations and science-based laboratories whenever possible • We identify and mitigate the root causes underlying human rights abuses • We encourage and support building human rights awareness and capacity in all levels of society • We uphold the highest level of academic integrity and scientific rigor

14

15

SINGLE-LINE LOGO TWO-COLOR (Does white blurred line count as a color? ask Charlie)

STACKED LOGO (Does white blurred line count as a color? ask Charlie)

STACKED LOGO ONE-COLOR (SOFT)

mindbridgecenter.org info@mindbridgecenter.org STACKED ONE-COLOR (HARD)

facebook twitter

youtube linkedin

646-316-7088