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.

Community Service Learning Center

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.

Hauenstein Center

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.

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. 

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 current goals

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

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.

Living Room Conversations

This project hopes for a world in which people who have fundamental differences of opinion and backgrounds learn to work together with respect – and even joy – to realize the vibrant future we all desire for ourselves and our families. Check out the Living Room Conversations website to learn how you can get involved.