The power of dialogue: Forced displacement and social integration amid an Islamist insurgency in Mozambique

With global forced displacement at an unprecedented level, there is an increasing demand for low-cost interventions that can reduce tension between displaced persons and host communities. This study undertakes a novel field experiment designed to improve the social integration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) into host communities under conditions of scarce resources and low state capacity. The experiment was conducted in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique’s northernmost province, where an Islamist insurgency has resulted in over one million IDPs. Hosts and IDPs participated in joint community meetings in which they discussed topics related to their collective life. Analysis of survey data, list experiments and lab-in-the-field games shows the community meetings produced sustained positive effects on the relationship between hosts and IDPs. As a novel insight, this study finds that even brief but structured intergroup interactions can have a beneficial and enduring impact on social cohesion that persists for at least 2–3 months. • Field experiment in Mozambique tested intergroup contact to improve IDP-host cohesion. • IDPs and hosts met in joint community meetings to foster mutual understanding. • Community meetings boosted tolerance, trust, and reduced discrimination toward IDPs. • IDPs reported stronger social integration and greater trust in local hosts. • Structured intergroup contact fosters social cohesion in resource-limited settings.