We live in a connected but fragmented world. Bridging divides starts with a simple choice. We must seek to understand before reacting. Through active-listening training and structured conversations, participants learn to stay curious and empathetic (qualities that are the hardest thing for a robot to learn).

The goal?

We are doubling down on essential human skills. We are empowering teens to heal isolation and build trust. This creates a generation of leaders who can navigate the divide. One conversation at a time.

MISSION + ESSAY CONTEST

We put these skills into action through an essay contest. We reward genuine curiosity with scholarship awards. The contest is open to any students, 9-12th grade, enrolled in any US High School. There will be 3 winners; 1st place/$5,000, 2nd place/$3,000 and 3rd place/$2,000.

How it Works:

Students complete a training course on active listening and conversing with those with different viewpoints.
Students choose some whose perspective and/or culture is different from theirs: a different generation, politics, culture, faith or life experience.
They have a 30 minute conversation focused on lived experiences.
They write an essay reflecting on what shifted in their worldview; what changed and what didn't.

A strong essay will do more than summarize their conversation. It will explore what surprised them, what challenged their assumptions, what shifted in how they see things, and what didn't.

It is an essay contest but something bigger. If a generation of teens can connect across divides - what a powerful enduring skill which benefits everyone's future.

Our team of reviewers will review all of the submitted essays and select our 3 winners.

We appreciate you support in our work.

Athena Alexander

We live in a connected but fragmented world.

Bridging divides starts with a simple choice. We must seek to understand before reacting.

Through active-listening training and structured conversations, participants learn to stay curious and empathetic

(qualities that are the hardest thing for a robot to learn).

The goal?

We are doubling down on essential human skills.

We are empowering teens to heal isolation and build trust.

This creates a generation of leaders who can navigate any divide.

One conversation at a time.We live in a connected but fragmented world.

Bridging divides starts with a simple choice. We must seek to understand before reacting.

Through active-listening training and structured conversations, participants learn to stay curious and empathetic

(qualities that are the hardest thing for a robot to learn).

The goal?

We are doubling down on essential human skills.

We are empowering teens to heal isolation and build trust.

This creates a generation of leaders who can navigate any divide.

One conversation at a time.

Forge2Gether Essay Contest Scholarships