Dialogue skills can develop foundational capacity for civic engagement and collective action to strengthen our democracy. The heart of dialogue is not in speaking to convince but rather in active listening and questioning to understand one another.
The Moment
Dialogue Strengthens Democracy
Polarization is toxic to democracy and limits us — as individuals, organizations and nations — in our ability to respond to the critical needs of today. A culture of dialogue creates opportunities to reach across our differences and to engage one another, which is crucial for strengthening democracy, especially in the face of growing authoritarianism. Embracing a national identity built on democratic values can help us recognize our shared humanity. These Learning for Justice resources can help build understanding to address the questions: What is dialogue across difference? And how is dialogue foundational to democracy?
A Culture of Dialogue Is Foundational to Democracy
This learning journey summarizes key points addressing the questions: What is dialogue across difference, and how is dialogue foundational to democracy?
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The Promise of Building Bridges
The UCLA Dialogue Across Difference Initiative offers a model to foster a culture of meaningful exchange, empathy and critical thinking in education and communities.
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Learning From the Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement is a story of people who believed they could bring about change. The resources in this series can help us learn from our history and examine today’s justice issues to answer the questions: “How can I make a difference?” “How can we make a difference together?”