EDUCATE
Students complete a “Perspectives” class offered virtually through the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI). Students also complete an in-person workshop on dialogue facilitation developed at St. Olaf.
Explore
Students attend a number of Institute sponsored lectures (offered at St. Olaf) that feature diverse perspectives on political and social issues. Students submit short reflection papers on each talk attended.
Engage
Students are required to facilitate three discussions on challenging political, social, or economic issues. Students choose a topic, develop a discussion guide (these guides must be pre-approved), recruit participants, and conduct small group discussions on campus or in the community.
SIGN-UP PROCESS
Contact Kelly Shirah (shirah1@stolaf.edu) to get signed up.

“Working toward a Dialogue Across Difference certification has shown me that we can build a community that values engagement with diverse perspectives and opinions, even when a volatile political climate might present avoiding disagreement as a safer, less disruptive option. Being able to engage in conversations where my peers felt comfortable disagreeing, and approached divergent viewpoints with curiosity rather than hostility, has been a very rewarding experience.
—Adeline Johnson ’27