[KWPeace-groups] Fwd: "Are We Done Fighting" - talk by Matthew Legge on October 6th at noon.

[Daniel Allen]

Hosted by the Kitchener Area Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
Please share with others who might be interested.
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Author of new book on addressing rising hatred and polarization to speak in
Kitchener

Author Matthew Legge will offer practical tips for people concerned about
increasing social divisions.

Kitchener, ON – Hate crimes in Canada were up in 2017 and 2018 and there
are many signs that Canadians are increasingly divided on major issues like
immigration and multiculturalism. A timely new book Are We Done Fighting?
Building Understanding in a World of Hate and Division collects research,
stories, and practical exercises to identify what’s going wrong in so many
bitter societal conflicts, factors behind the rise of hatred, and what
everyday people can do to start to turn the tide.

Are We Done Fighting? shares remarkable stories from former gang and hate
group members, groups coming together to rebuild trust following genocide,
and even a handful of citizens stopping what appeared to be an imminent
civil war. In a simple and accessible format, it offers hundreds of
findings from studies in fields like neuroscience, behavioural economics,
and social psychology to explain what’s happening when we become polarized
and when we build healthier communities.

Author Matthew Legge, a Peace Program Coordinator with Canadian Friends
Service Committee (Quakers), will be presenting key findings shared in the
book. The talk will offer practical tips that listeners can use right away,
for instance on how to have more effective conversations on contentious
issues. The talk and book signing will be *298 Frederick St., Kitchener, ON
at 12 pm Sunday October 6*.

Matthew Legge is available for interviews and is happy to come in to the
studio at any time. For more about the book see
https://AreWeDoneFighting.com/presskit
<https://arewedonefighting.com/presskit>

About Matthew Legge: Matthew has worked in the nonprofit sector for the
last 13 years, with a focus on building health, dignity, and human rights.
He’s supported locally-led peace initiatives in North America, Latin
America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He’s served as a
volunteer, consultant, board member, and full-time staff member. Since 2012
Matthew has worked for Canadian Friends Service Committee. He writes the
popular blog
<https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/are-we-done-fighting/201905/how-language-can-polarize-us>
Are
We Done Fighting? for Psychology Today.

About Canadian Friends Service Committee: Founded in 1931, Canadian Friends
Service Committee is the peace and social justice agency of the Religious
Society of Friends (better known as Quakers). Quakers have a centuries-long
history of working to support justice and peace. In 1947 they were awarded
the Nobel Peace Prize for non for being among the first to offer impartial
medical support to all sides during war. In his awards speech, Norwegian
leader Gunnar Jahn said, “The Quakers have shown us that it is possible to
translate into action what lies deep in the hearts of many: compassion for
others and the desire to help them...” Today CFSC’s work continues this
tradition, focusing on peacebuilding, Indigenous peoples’ human rights, and
criminal justice issues.

Praise for Are We Done Fighting? Alex Neve, OC, Secretary General of
Amnesty International Canada calls Are We Done Fighting? “exceptionally
valuable and timely” offering “practical solutions that make a difference
in our own lives and in the broader communities that surround us.”

Paul Dekar, co-founder of the Peace Studies program at McMaster University
says, “This is the book many peace, justice, and reconciliation advocates
have waited for.”

Contact Name: Matthew Legge, Phone Number: 416-920-5213, Email:
matt at quakerservice.ca