By Mariam Aburdeineh

Arlington, Va. – George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR) has received a generous gift from James Hoch and his family to establish the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation.

The center will bring scholars and practitioners together to build knowledge of reconciliation practices and apply them where needed in the U.S. and in post-war contexts abroad. The gift will fund the first years of the center’s operating expenses, the hiring of an executive director, and reconciliation research that incorporates “insider reconcilers”—people in conflict areas who understand the local context and social structures to better facilitate reconciliation.

“S-CAR recognizes reconciliation as one of the crucial areas where further research and conceptual development are urgently needed,” said S-CAR Dean Kevin Avruch. “[This center] signifies recognition not only of S-CAR’s excellence in research and education, but also our commitment to bring this expertise to the world outside the academy.”