Community Dialogues seek to cultivate connection and deep learning through exploration of critical and contentious issues. This series is focused on providing space for participants to practice the skills of dialogue and deliberation.  We hope to engage in dialogue which:

  • Deepens understanding of and advances complex thinking on critical issues and the tensions within them
  • Encourages insight into different perspectives
  • Creates connection between participants through their stories and experiences
  • Facilitate intergroup connections and cultivate community
  • Guides exploration of personal ethics, morals, and values  
  • Inspires socio-political action, both individual and collective
  • Allows participants to practice and cultivate dialogic skills

Community Dialogues is an initiative offered in partnership by Community Engagement & Leadership, the Office of Institutional Diversity, and University Housing & Dining Services.

 

During the 2022-2023 academic year, Community Dialogues are taking on a Story Circle format. 

Story Circles are often understood as deriving from indigenous traditions that develop a practice for community telling and listening projects. Story circles allow participants to share stories from their own experience or imagination as individuals in a small group. Stories that are shared follow a prompt that relates to the theme of the Community Dialogue.

 

Register Here!

Each dialogue will include a mixture of large group and small-group activities, including introductions, an overview of the topic, dialogue, reflection, and an action-oriented closing.

 

This event is dialogic in nature. We ask that participants attend the full two (2) hours.

Upcoming Dialogues

    Fall Community Dialogue: Spread of misinformation on social media

    Thursday, October 27th 4-6PM

    Location: Asian Pacific Cultural Center

    Snacks and light refreshments will be provided!

     

    Winter Community Dialogue: Power of Color

    Thursday, February 9th 4-6PM

    Location: MU 13

    Snacks and light refreshments will be provided!

     

    spring community dialogue: TBD

    Thursday, May 4th 4-6PM

    Location: TBD

     

    Have ideas for topics?  Know faculty and staff you would love to hear from at the start of a dialogue?  Send your suggestions to cel@oregonstate.edu.

    More Information

    Facilitators are the core of our program, and we are seeking students, staff, and faculty to join us in growing a culture of dialogue at OSU. We welcome registrants of all experience and skill levels. Our facilitators are selected and trained to sustain open and respectful dialogue and create spaces for individual, interpersonal, and systemic exploration in a broad effort to encourage a culture of dialogue at OSU.

    Facilitator Competencies
    Through training and practice, we expect that our facilitators will demonstrate increased capacity to:

    • Create space for difference and dialogue
    • Integrate content and process
    • Name and frame emotions
    • Cultivate connections across difference

    If you are an OSU student, faculty or staff member interested in becoming a facilitator, please contact [email protected] or 541-737-3041. Learn more about Community Dialogue facilitator responsibilities and competencies.

    To learn more about the Community Dialogues initiative or request accommodations, please contact [email protected] or 541-737-3041.