A variety of dialogue-driven events are hosted by the Office of Student Life. Of particular interest might be the Community Service Learning Center, which sponsors a number of events and resources for how dialogue helps to create stronger communities. The CSLC prepares students to become active, global citizens who are committed to a life of community engagement and democratic participation.

Check in with the Hauenstein Center’s Common Ground Initiative which prepares a new generation of leaders to work constructively with people from diverse cultures and different worldviews. The initiative brings politically conservative and progressive people together for balanced, fair-minded discussion.

The Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, and WGVU Public Media are thrilled to reconvene for a second year of Talking Together: Strengthening Our Communities Through Conversation - a dialogue initiative aimed at interrupting polarization and creating instead a culture of conversation on campus and in surrounding communities.

Our Talking Together collaboration began in 2022-2023 as a year-long Grand Valley Presidential Initiative with a number of opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to engage in conversation with one other across differences in perspective, identity, and life experiences.

This year, we are returning to build upon those foundational strategies and techniques from Year One by intentionally leaning into spaces of deep listening and story-telling from a multiplicity of perspectives.

Connections Through Conversation is a student organization for those interested in having rich conversations about issues that matter. They're all about learning how to have open and authentic conversations without fear of judgment. 

Make Shift Coffee House Virtual Events

A Make Shift Coffee House is a free online place where people with different views talk to each other with respect. Each one lasts an hour. A small group of people with different views have a facilitated discussion while others watch. Visit the Makeshift Coffee House online event page, where you can learn more about getting involved in a virtual Make Shift Coffee House event as a participant or a viewer. Learn more about Make Shift Coffee House at https://makeshiftcoffeehouse.com/.

Our Community Listens

This organization offers transformational learning experiences to empower individuals, strengthen relationships, and create a more compassionate world. See the Our Community Listens website for more information and to find local events for their Michigan Chapter.

Braver Angels | Michigan Chapter

Braver Angels is a New York-based 501 nonprofit dedicated to political depolarization. The organization runs workshops, debates, and other events where "red" and "blue" participants attempt to better understand one another's positions and discover their shared values. Click here to learn about their goals for 2021 and 2022.

Contact the Center for Civil Discourse ([email protected]) for more information about the Michigan Chapter.