Welcome to the 7-Day Campaign for Connection Challenge

Welcome to Campaign for Connection—an initiative from the Greater Good Science Center’s Bridging Differences program at UC Berkeley.

Under our Bridging Differences program, we have reviewed decades of scientific studies, interviewed dozens of leaders, and surveyed the landscape of relevant programs. From this work we have collected enduring wisdom and best practices for bridging political, racial, religious, or other divides. It has led us to identify a set of skills and strategies that support positive dialogue, relationships, and understanding between groups or individuals.

Our goal with this 7-Day Campaign for Connection Challenge is simple: to make it easier for you to connect with others with empathy and respect, even if they see the world differently from you.

We invite you to see how practicing these skills can foster understanding, ease stress, and create a stronger sense of connection with your loved ones and community. Let’s turn division into understanding and conflict into connection!

See the Person, Not the Label

1

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Illustration of four people sitting on a park bench. On the left, an elderly man is reading a book. In the middle, a young woman is looking at her phone. On the right, two people are engaged in conversation, with one gesturing as they talk. The background shows trees, suggesting a park setting.

Expand Your Views and Circles

2

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Illustration of a chess tournament scene. In the foreground, a woman with a teal hat and a purple dress stands observing. In the background, a sign reads 'Chess Friendly Tournament.' A man stands near a chess table with two players seated behind him, focused on their game. A poster on the wall behind him reads 'Join the Community!' The scene suggests a welcoming and inclusive environment where people are encouraged to participate and connect through chess. The title 'Expand Your Views and Circles' highlights the theme of social engagement and broadening perspectives.

Find Shared Identities

3

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Illustration of four individuals, two in red jerseys and two in blue jerseys, standing close together. The people in blue are smiling and excited, possibly about the event the group is observing. The individuals in red appear to be a bit more distressed, with mixed expressions of concern or surprise, indicating that they might not be pleased with the outcome of the event. The image might depict people observing a sports event, with the differences in jersey colors indicating support for different teams.

Practice Perspective Taking

4

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Illustration of two individuals, facing each other in profile. The person on the left has short, light-colored hair and is wearing a collared shirt, while the person on the right has darker hair with a slightly different hairstyle and is wearing a sleeveless top. Both appear to be looking directly at each other with neutral expressions, suggesting a moment of mutual observation or confrontation.

Listen with Compassion

5

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Illustration of two individuals sitting at separate tables, each with a confused expression and a question mark above their heads. Both are looking at piles of puzzle pieces in front of them. A torn line splits the image in the middle, symbolizing a divide between them. On the left, a woman with braided hair rests her chin on her hand next to a pink mug and a box labeled '1000 Piece.' On the right, a man rests his head on his hand with a yellow cup beside him and a box labeled 'Puzzle.' The background shows large windows, and the scene suggests a shared sense of confusion or frustration.

Try Self Distancing

6

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Illustration of two individuals facing each other, both appearing frustrated. The person on the left, wearing a light-colored shirt and tie, has arms crossed with an angry expression, indicated by a red anger mark on their head. The person on the right, wearing a headscarf and dark clothing, is holding their forehead with a tense expression, also indicated by a red anger mark. Both individuals seem to be in a heated or stressful conversation.

Identify Common Goals

7

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Illustration of two smiling individuals seated at a table. The person on the left, wearing a red shirt, is pointing enthusiastically towards something off-screen, while the person on the right, wearing a blue shirt, is also smiling and appears engaged in the moment. A drinking glass sits on the table between them, suggesting they are in a casual setting. The scene conveys a sense of excitement and positive interaction.

See the Person, Not the Label

1

{pv_7day_events:summary}

Illustration of four people sitting on a park bench. On the left, an elderly man is reading a book. In the middle, a young woman is looking at her phone. On the right, two people are engaged in conversation, with one gesturing as they talk. The background shows trees, suggesting a park setting.

Find Shared Identities

3

{pv_7day_events:summary}

Illustration of four individuals, two in red jerseys and two in blue jerseys, standing close together. The people in blue are smiling and excited, possibly about the event the group is observing. The individuals in red appear to be a bit more distressed, with mixed expressions of concern or surprise, indicating that they might not be pleased with the outcome of the event. The image might depict people observing a sports event, with the differences in jersey colors indicating support for different teams.

Listen with Compassion

5

{pv_7day_events:summary}

Illustration of two individuals sitting at separate tables, each with a confused expression and a question mark above their heads. Both are looking at piles of puzzle pieces in front of them. A torn line splits the image in the middle, symbolizing a divide between them. On the left, a woman with braided hair rests her chin on her hand next to a pink mug and a box labeled '1000 Piece.' On the right, a man rests his head on his hand with a yellow cup beside him and a box labeled 'Puzzle.' The background shows large windows, and the scene suggests a shared sense of confusion or frustration.

Identify Common Goals

7

{pv_7day_events:summary}

Illustration of two smiling individuals seated at a table. The person on the left, wearing a red shirt, is pointing enthusiastically towards something off-screen, while the person on the right, wearing a blue shirt, is also smiling and appears engaged in the moment. A drinking glass sits on the table between them, suggesting they are in a casual setting. The scene conveys a sense of excitement and positive interaction.
2

Expand Your Views and Circles

{pv_7day_events:summary}

Illustration of a chess tournament scene. In the foreground, a woman with a teal hat and a purple dress stands observing. In the background, a sign reads 'Chess Friendly Tournament.' A man stands near a chess table with two players seated behind him, focused on their game. A poster on the wall behind him reads 'Join the Community!' The scene suggests a welcoming and inclusive environment where people are encouraged to participate and connect through chess. The title 'Expand Your Views and Circles' highlights the theme of social engagement and broadening perspectives.
4

Practice Perspective Taking

{pv_7day_events:summary}

Illustration of two individuals, facing each other in profile. The person on the left has short, light-colored hair and is wearing a collared shirt, while the person on the right has darker hair with a slightly different hairstyle and is wearing a sleeveless top. Both appear to be looking directly at each other with neutral expressions, suggesting a moment of mutual observation or confrontation.
6

Try Self Distancing

{pv_7day_events:summary}

Illustration of two individuals facing each other, both appearing frustrated. The person on the left, wearing a light-colored shirt and tie, has arms crossed with an angry expression, indicated by a red anger mark on their head. The person on the right, wearing a headscarf and dark clothing, is holding their forehead with a tense expression, also indicated by a red anger mark. Both individuals seem to be in a heated or stressful conversation.

“We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.”

–Martin Luther King, Jr

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    “Greater Good offers a first-rate service to those who want to track new and important research findings in social and emotional intelligence.”

    ― Daniel Goleman, best-selling author of Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence

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