Pastor James Wuye and Imam Mohammed Ashafa used their positions as religious leaders in Nigeria to promote peacebuilding and prevent religious conflicts. They developed early warning systems and education programs to teach forgiveness and nonviolence. By establishing interfaith cooperation between their communities, they were able to defuse tensions and prevent violence from spreading during recent incidents, showing how social influence can enable positive social change even in deeply divided societies.

1. Andrzej Nowak Florida Atlantic University Warsaw University Agents of Change Computer simulations and empirical data

4. How can we conceptualize social influence A number of people gathered in an auditorium to vote on an issue They can discuss their opinions with others before they vote How will the discussion change the outcome of the vote?

6. Initial attitudes in a social group Color = attitudeHeight of bars= strength

10. CommunityManagement

13. Initial attitudes in a social group Color = attitudeHeight of bars= strength

14. Final attitudes as the result of social interaction 1. Number of individuals having minority opinion has decreased (polarization) 2. Clustered Conclusion: Minority opinion can survive by forming clusters

16. Clustering in the choice of food

17. Clustering in marketing Prediction of campaign success (15/17 )Goldenberg Air-view of a sub-urban neighborhood; crosses on the roofs indicate air-conditioner purchase

19. Leader + followers

20. Stronghold

21. Wall

24. Influence and Change, Genocide Prevention, Columbia U. Minority influence insocial change

25. Influence and Change, Genocide Prevention, Columbia U.

26. Influence and Change, Genocide Prevention, Columbia U.

29. Bias favors the minority

31. Bias withdrawn Bias reversed

34. Testing the theory

36. 1989 1990 Number of enterprises per capita

37. 1991 1992 Number of enterprises per capita

38. Education and economic growth

40. Voting for pro-reformist parties Number of enterprises per capita Double reality of social transitions: Regions of “new” and “old”, political and economic data

41. EU referendum 2002

45. Social change in Chmielnik (analysis by Praszkier) Kazimierz Jaworski Chmielnik Schools Local goverment Businessman Firms high-tech Chmielnik Zdrój Mineral water Sewage treatment Teaching languages and IT 200  900 Enterprises Change of attitudes Misantrophy to Trust and cooperation Growth of Social capital Economic growth Direct sales of farmers products Local telephone network Telekardiomat Increase in Entreprenourship and social involvement Farmers Young people conduct a court case against alcoholism Swichboard at the telephone system

53. Questions?