01/17/2014
You're Invited:
Transforming Divides: From Bitter Debate to Better Dialogue
Sustained Dialogue Annual Conference 2014
March 7-9, 2014
Dickinson College Carlisle, PA
Rancorous national discourse has become the norm.
From the Statehouse to the dining hall, we’ve seen an inability to dialogue across difference. It has even resulted in a 16 day government shutdown. Campuses are embroiled in bitter conversations about race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and can't seem to dialogue about effective approaches to tough problems, or even sit in a room together.
Yet, we know a different reality is possible. We've seen students learn how to engage differences as strengths, form unlikely friendships, and make a positive impact on their campus. This conference will focus on how to effectively transcend these divides with effective communication across lines of difference on a multitude of issues.
We'll be joined by:
Dr. Carolyn Lukensmeyer, who is working to do what SD is doing on the national scene as Executive Director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona, a nonpartisan center for the research and advocacy of civility in public discourse.
Dr. Phil Neisser and Jacob Hess, co-authors of You're Not as Crazy as I Thought (But You're Still Wrong): Conversations between a Die-Hard Liberal and a Devoted Conservative
Dr. Harold Saunders, founder of the SD process, and a key drafter of the Camp David Peace Accords
and others who move debate about race, gender, immigration, and religion forward to dialogue.
A quick reminder to help your team begin planning, since the initial early registration deadline is Jan. 15th.
The Sustained Dialogue Conference is an unparalleled opportunity to come together as a Network and learn from student leaders, administrators, alumni, and supporters from across the country. This year’s Conference, featuring expert guest speakers from social justice, dialogue, and civic engagement fields, will energize you for a strong semester of "dialogue-to-action" and will prepare you to meet your 2014 goals.
Not doing Sustained Dialogue? You're invited too! We welcome those who are engaged in other dialogue and conflict resolution programs as well as those who are interested in starting SD in their contexts.
Register and find more information at www.sdcampusnetwork.org/conference.
Watch the 2014 SD Conference Video Trailer: http://youtu.be/dt2RPrgHkV8
Register at www.sdcampusnetwork.org/conference. Curious about how to make this happen in a way that works best for your campus? Please reach out!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. By when should I help my team register?
A. We hope that you'll register before January 15th, when rates go up, even for network members. We hope you'll use the group package to bring at least 4 nominated students and one advisor. Students likely will need help finding funding to attend. Let us know how we can support the process of getting EACH OF YOU present. Scholarships and free student lodging are available on a limited basis.
Q. Can I invite others from my campus?
A. Send this blurb out to anyone on your campus who you think would be interested, whether or not they are currently involved in SD or not. We truly welcome all. The more advocates, the better.
--
Rhonda Fitzgerald
Program Director, Sustained Dialogue Campus Network
444 North Capitol St. NW, Suite #434
Washington, DC 20001
202.393.7643
Register for our CONFERENCE
Join us: www.facebook.com/sdcampusnetwork
Follow us: www.twitter.com/sdcn
All current and future leaders of varied backgrounds and beliefs who want to learn skills to talk effectively across difference and engage in productive Sustained Dialogue towards understanding. We welcome all SD participants, leaders, moderators, advisors, initiators, alumni, and supporters.
