Tired of the toxic level of polarization in the U.S.? Interested in talking with people whose perspective differs from your own in ways that stay constructive? We invite you to join us for a year focused on creating a culture of conversation rather than division.
The Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, and WGVU Public Media are pleased to partner for Talking Together: Strengthening our Communities through Conversation, a dialogue initiative aimed at interrupting polarization and investing in the principles of civil discourse and respectful conversation. Each month will feature at least one structured activity for students, staff, faculty, and community members to engage in conversation with one other across differences in perspective, identity, and life experiences.
Past Events:
September 21, 2022 - Kick-Off Reception & How To Talk To Your Neighbor Workshop
September 22, 2022 - Constitution Day Celebration
Upcoming:
October 13, 2022 - Film screening & A People's Supper
November 7-9, 2022 - Sharing our Stories: Moving from Division to Hope (Annual Civil Discourse Symposium)
January 21, 2023 - MLK Day of Service & Solidarity
February 23, 2023 - See No Stranger: An Evening with Valarie Kaur
March 23, 2023 - Building Trust Across America, One Relationship at a Time
April 20, 2023 - Virtual Workshop (more info to come)
Monthly we focus on Talking Together: Strengthening our Communities through Conversation, a dialogue initiative aimed at interrupting polarization and investing in the principles of civil discourse and respectful conversation.
GV seeks to dispel rising polarization through new civil discourse series
Grand Valley State University’s Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse is attempting to tackle the issue of proliferated polarization through a newly introduced series centered on community dialogue.
The program, titled “Talking Together,” is designed to be a remedy for the affliction of polarization through discussion between people and forming common ground despite partisanship.
The Hauenstein Center welcomed John Kowal and Wilfred Codrington as part of its annual Constitution Day celebration to discuss their research and book into the history of the U.S. Constitution's amendments.
Sep 23, 2022
The Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, and WGVU Public Media formed a partnership to coordinate the initiative's content and programming.
Sep 22, 2022
Four campus partners have collaborated to bring to Grand Valley and the community a yearlong series of programs designed to foster a culture of civil conversation and provide participants with tools to interrupt polarization.
Aug 25, 2022
Talking Together is a partnership between the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, The Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, and WGVU Public Media.
