Liddite Conversations invite senior journalists from the print, broadcast media specialists in the field of conflict resolution, and expert analysts to explore the key causes of conflict and political violence around the world.

The meeting format was established just prior to 9/11 to engage senior journalists in the UK media. It was dubbed 'Liddite Conversation' after the phrase 'Liddism' in Professor Paul Rogers' book Losing Control: Global Security in the 21st Century. In the book, he uses the term to describe the pressure cooker effect which results from 'keeping a lid' on global security problems instead of addressing the root causes of conflict and political violence.

ORG has since had many Liddite Conversations and has some loyal 'Lidditers' in the media and analysis circles in the UK and the international community. The format of the meeting is as follows: a specialist on the chosen topic (often the author of a recent book on a topical and important subject) is asked to give a brief, informal presentation for about 10 minutes. This is then followed by a lively and open discussion between the group. The idea is to maintain a rich flow of discussion which allows everyone present to pose questions and respond to one another. Chatham House rules apply, and after the meeting a record of the conversation is sent to all those involved.

A Different Kind of Conversation

One of the aims of the Liddite Conversation is not to have the same kind of polarised debates that go on in the political arena, but a more complex, nuanced discussion in which some of the root causes of conflict are better understood. The conversation provides an opportunity to break out of the rehearsed platitudes and think creatively and outside the box about what would offer the scope for resolutions to the conflicts discussed. These kinds of conversations are possible because we have a huge amount of expertise, wisdom and knowledge around the table, both within the academic community and amongst journalists.

Some examples of ORG's recent Liddite Conversations are:
 

• In July 2009 the conversation revolved around the Afghan elections, with presidential candidate at the time, Ashraf Ghani, joining the conversation via Skype connection from Kabul. Another virtual guest was Giandomenico Picco, previous UN Assistant Secretary General who played a crucial role in the Geneva agreements on the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, joined the conversation from New York. The main question explored was how far the elections will be free and fair and what would be at stake if they were flawed, and whether fair elections can provide an opportunity for a unity team to come together and win, or whether flawed elections could deepen the insurgency.
• In June 2009 a conversation was held on FT correspondent, David Gardner's book The Last Chance: The Middle East in the Balance. The participants discussed whether there is a crisis of opportunity in the Middle East as well as Obama's Cairo speech.
• In November 2007, the conversation focused on the Middle East conference in Annapolis that month. Key speakers were Dr. Azzam Tamimi, author of Hamas: The Unwritten Chapters, and former Palestinian negotiator Ahmad Khalidi. The discussion focused on Hamas's current position, the lack of Palestinian unity and a proposal for a standing conference table in the region.