The Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley teaches people how to bridge divides and build connections across differences. Bridging means bringing people from different backgrounds together - across race, class, religion, and other differences - to listen to each other's stories and build understanding. It's not about agreeing on everything, but about seeing each other's humanity.
The institute offers free online courses on bridging fundamentals, community stories, and practical methods. They believe bridging can help heal our divided world by moving beyond the 'us versus them' mentality. The goal is creating spaces where everyone belongs, even when we disagree.
Through active listening and sharing stories rather than just facts, people can build trust and connections across traditional dividing lines. The institute provides research, training, and resources to help communities practice bridging as a way to strengthen democracy and create more inclusive societies.