Healing dialogue: Can the techniques and practices of Track Two diplomacy play a role in resolving public health conflicts?

Abstract

Track Two Diplomacy, a form of facilitated informal and unofficial dialogues between conflicting parties, has become a well-established form of international conflict resolution. This paper seeks to explore whether the techniques and practices of Track Two could be applied in a new setting beyond international armed conflicts: public health. Global society continues to grapple with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, systemic racism, and climate change, among other pressing public health issues that can not only exacerbate but also create new conflicts that negatively affect communities. Innovative and interdisciplinary approaches are needed more than ever. We synthesize literature from both Track Two and public health fields to present a conceptual framework that posits whether and how such concepts as the “problem-solving workshop,” “transfer,” “reflective practice” and others might support parties involved in divisive, intractable, visible, and invisible conflicts which currently mark the public health space.