FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Massimiliano Colonna | [email protected] | +1 (202) 265-4300
Manager of Digital Communications, Editorial, and Campaigns
Search for Common Ground
Washington, DC — As U.S. voters finalize ballots, Search for Common Ground, the world’s
largest dedicated peacebuilding organization, is launching a 7-point add-on to every voting plan
aimed at helping the nation heal long after results have been declared. Go to
sfcg.org/my-vote to learn about it.
“Millions of people care deeply about this election and what will happen after it,” said Shamil
Idriss, CEO of Search for Common Ground. “Our add-on to every voting plan provides
Americans with strategies to reconnect, heal, and move forward together.”
The Nobel Peace Prize-nominated organization has worked on fractious elections for decades
in Liberia, Tunisia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and dozens of other countries. Their trademark
Common Ground Approach has helped millions of people get through divisive elections without
compromising their political opinions—or falling into violence.
“People are people: we are driven to connect despite our profound differences,” Idriss said. “It’s
not about compromising principles. It’s about finding a path we can all walk down together—and
taking that path to a place of dignity for all, despite our differences.”
For nearly 40 years, Search for Common Ground has worked around the world to transform
violent conflict and build peace so that everyone has a better chance to thrive. Outside experts
have credited Search for Common Ground with helping avert genocide in Burundi, facilitating a
breakthrough in the Iran nuclear deal, and playing a key role in the adoption of landmark
legislation on youth, peace, and security.
Today, Search for Common Ground is applying its expertise to an issue close to home for the
Washington, DC headquarters: the polarized politics of the United States.
“The Common Ground Approach starts with hope, no matter how small,” Idriss said. “You grab
onto hope and never let go. Around the world, we have seen that even the most intractable
conflicts can give way to peace. People can find healing and even solidarity—despite all their
differences, despite the odds—and create freedom, justice, and equality for all.”
Learn more about the voting plan add-on at sfcg.org/my-vote.
ENDS
