Abstract

Today, our world finds itself in a new crisis of complexity. As the pace of knowledge generation, technological advancement, and globalization increases exponentially, we are faced with a host of new challenges, demands and conflicts. In these remarks from the SIETAR Japan conference, I discuss the impact of this increasing complexity on how we think, feel, and behave when faced with difference, and propose a new framework of skills and competencies that research shows can help us navigate our increasingly uncertain, dynamic, and complex contexts. This framework offers two meta-competencies—Conflict Intelligence and Systemic Wisdom—that can help individuals resolve conflict across their differences and promote more constructive and peaceful relations in our rapidly changing world.

Keywords: complexity, adaptivity, conflict resolution, dynamics

Facing Uncertain Times Together: Strengthening Intercultural Connections