The Civil Dialogue Project’s purpose is to create a campus culture of civil dialogue and to provide resources, training and support to students, staff, faculty and community members to have meaningful conversations on important topics.
MISSION STATEMENT
To foster respectful and challenging conversations to help students, faculty and staff responsibly engage and better understand themselves, each other and their community.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
from the Constructive Dialogue Institute
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Let go of winning.
You can’t connect with someone—or persuade them—if your main goal is to defeat them.
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Ask Questions.
The best conversations start with genuine questions, not fixed conclusions.
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Share stories.
When it comes to sensitive topics, storytelling is often more effective than facts alone.
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Respond rather than react.
When conflict strikes, slow down and choose a better path forward.
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Find what’s shared.
Even in disagreement, there’s often common ground—if you know how to look for it.