Vision Can Defeat Division.

42,000 youth voices, cross-border connections and leadership. Here's how we're starting 2026, from Nashville to Belfast.

View in browser   Dear Faith,  Welcome to our January newsletter!   This month, we're spotlighting a selection of standout media stories about Narrative 4 from PBS, NBC, New York Magazine and the BBC, shining a light on the extraordinary work of our facilitators and schools. From exchanges that bring together people with opposing views on immigration and gun control, to stories that bridge divides between youth and adults, these moments show how storytelling helps people recognize our shared humanity.    You'll also find community updates from across the USA, Africa and Ireland—a reminder that this movement is truly global. In fact, this year we aim to train thousands more facilitators across the globe and hope you'll join the effort.   Thank you for being part of our story. We're so glad you're here.  The Power of Stories Helps Young People Overcome Differences. Last year, PBS captured the power of the Story Exchange in Santa Fe. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown explored how N4's methodology helps young people build compassion and bridge divides—whether political, cultural or socioeconomic. Inside a Story Exchange Program That's Changing Lives. TODAY co-host Craig Melvin reported on a year-long N4 Field Exchange between University Heights High School in the Bronx, New York and Floyd Central High School in Langley, Kentucky. Melvin joined the youth for a week of activities aimed at fostering connection and understanding. Watch the segment! Can a Life-Swap Exercise Stop a Community from Tearing Itself in Two? In Moorhead, Minnesota residents and refugees came together for a powerful adult Story Exchange, swapping personal stories and retelling them in the first person. The simple exercise helped break down fear, build compassion and show how storytelling can bridge deep community divides. Read the article. Reported by Jessica Lussenhop. Guns and Empathy Stories have an incredible power to break open historically intractable issues. In this unique N4 Story Exchange, five participants spoke about their personal experiences with firearms, sharing personal tragedies and deep-held convictions. Keep reading. Reported by Lisa Miller.  42,000 Youth Voices 📍 Narrative 4 Africa 2025 was a year of growth and connection for Narrative 4 Africa.  Here's a snapshot of what our community achieved in 2025:    ✏️ 42,808 Student Participants 🗨️ 3,045 Story Exchanges 💜 286 Facilitators Trained 🎒 474 Schools Engaged.   Students took part in civic engagement programs such as Trash to Treasure, community Story Exchanges and the Cities School  Challenge. We can't wait to read about what they do this year! Celebrating Cross-Border Creativity 📍 Narrative 4 Ireland Last week, we published an anthology of writing, artwork and photography created by 23 young people from Belfast and Limerick. The book celebrates a cross-border youth exchange. The Belfast participants joined their peers in Limerick for a book launch, attended by program partners, community members and the Mayor of Limerick!   In the anthology's foreword, N4 co-founder and author Colum McCann reminded us that "vision can always defeat division."    The project is part of the Shared Island Initiative, which aims to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection  and mutual understanding across the island of Ireland.    Narrative 4 on the Road! 📍 Narrative 4 USA In the United States, our team is kicking off 2026 with a full schedule of workshops, seminars and talks at conferences and expos around the country. We'd love to see you there! Visit the Narrative 4 booth or get in touch to schedule a meeting. American Association of School Administrators National Conference on Education, Nashville, TN. Feb. 12–14 Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience — Seattle, WA.  Feb. 15–18 Training 2026 Expo — Orlando, FL. Feb. 23–25  Compassion in Writing: Inhabiting Different Perspectives in Fiction with Brian Schaefer 📍Virtual  At its core, writing is a practice of compassion. Great novels ask us to imagine boldly and listen closely, while entering minds and worlds vastly different from our own. In this workshop, debut novelist Brian Schaefer and award-winning author and N4 co-founder Colum McCann invite you into their creative process.    Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, 1 pm EST  Further Details Virtual Story Exchange Experience the Narrative 4 Story Exchange. This free virtual workshop is open to everyone who is curious about how storytelling can foster compassion, build connection and create real-world impact.  Various Dates – Learn More     Help Us Reach More Youth:    Consider Making a Gift to Narrative 4 in Support of Our Mission! Donate Narrative 4, 45 West 73rd Street, Suite 5, New York, NY 10023, United States Unsubscribe Manage preferences