The 2026 DeLTA Conference

The Next 250: Developing the Next Generation of Americans as Civic Change Makers

The third annual Depolarization Labs & Trainers Alliance (DeLTA) Conference, co-hosted by George Mason University’s PiVoT Peace Lab, George Washington University’s Media and Peacebuilding Project, and the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication, brings together students, scholars, practitioners, and nonprofit leaders from across the country to explore one of the most consequential challenges facing American democracy: how we build the civic capacity in the next generation to bridge deep divides, reduce toxic polarization, and sustain strong democratic institutions for the next 250 years.

This is more than a conversation about polarization. It is an opportunity to discover what’s working now—and what’s coming next.

What to expect

• Innovative programs and proven approaches from nationally respected universities and organizations working to bridge divides, strengthen dialogue, and build more resilient communities.
• Direct access to practitioners and organizations through one-on-one conversations with peacebuilding labs, nonprofits, and other leaders.
• Cutting-edge research and new ideas from emerging scholars examining the causes of polarization and promising approaches for addressing it.
• Connections that can lead to action, bringing together established national leaders, rising professionals, and students committed to strengthening communities.
• A growing national network of bridge-builders equipping the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and relationships to strengthen our democracy.

Conference Schedule

• 9:00 AM – Registration opens
• 9:00 AM–4:00 PM – Exhibit tables open
• 9:00–10:00 AM – Networking with coffee and pastries
• 10:00 AM – Welcome and intro: “What is a depolarization lab?”
• 10:15 AM – Panel 1: University lab research findings
• 11:30 AM – Networking and exhibit break
• 11:45 AM – Panel 2: Campus program and curriculum roundtable
• 1:00 PM – Lunch and networking
• 1:45 PM – Keynote
• 2:15 PM – “Building Digital Resilience: Navigating political conflict in the digital age”
• 3:45–4:00 PM – Wrap-up on events, tools, and continuing the work

Meet the Speakers

Keynote: Liz Hume, Executive Director, Alliance for Peacebuilding. Opening remarks: Randy Lioz, Director, DeLTA; Dr. Babak Bahador, Director, Media & Peacebuilding Project, GW. Plus researchers and faculty from George Mason, American, Georgetown, Sacred Heart, Pepperdine, and Linn-Benton Community College, and leaders from Search for Common Ground and BBC Media Action. Register to attend virtual or in-person at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-2026-delta-conference-tickets-2002108671933?aff=oddtdtcreator#location