We’ll all stick together, in all kinds of weather.
That famous line from Nebraska U.’s fight song sums up the spirit of civil discourse.
Huskers don’t agree on everything. But we don’t judge ourselves by how neatly we all agree.
We judge ourselves by how we can disagree – sometimes passionately – and still move forward together.
About the Civil Discourse Initiative
Civil Discourse is the practice of engaging across differences in ways that seek to expand knowledge, respect perspectives, and moves us toward rediscovering common ground.
The initiative brings together campus and community partners to provide a safe and supportive space for Huskers to explore their individual comfort with different conversations, learn effective communication strategies, and practice engaging in dialogue.
For students, staff, and faculty
Learn in a workshop.
Huskers are invited to participate in a Courageous Dialogue workshop that is designed to foster meaningful and transformative conversations. The workshop weaves together concepts for discourse across differences and provides space to learn effective communication strategies and stimulate discussion around the examination and exploration of social and political norms, values, and beliefs. The program is being facilitated in partnership with LeaderShape.
Group size: 15-30 individuals
Join an upcoming open workshopFor students, staff, and faculty
Tour and talk about Art
Tour the Voting is People Power exhibit at Sheldon Museum of Art and then participate in small group discussions to examine and explore social and political norms, values, and beliefs through shared dialogue and reflection.
At the end of the experience, individuals can create a personal button using a piece of art connected to the exhibit.
Group size: 15-30 individuals
Upcoming dates
Sept 19, 2024 | 4 to 5:30 p.m. | Sheldon Museum of Art
Oct 17, 2024 | 4 to 5:30 p.m. | Sheldon Museum of Art
For students
Be a Dialogue Fellow.
Huskers are invited to serve as a dialogue fellow to support events and advance the goals of dialogue across campus. Dialogue Fellows serve on a committee that helps with planning events and developing resources.
This is a volunteer position and the team meets bi-weekly.
Go to applicationEngage in a 1 on 1 conversation
The Unify Challenge College Bowl is a virtual intercollegiate event where thousands of students are paired into one-on-one conversations across differences. For about an hour, the pair discusses 16 hot-button issues like mental health, gun laws, immigration, and free speech on campus.
RSVPTake the Civic Readiness Quiz
This online assessment developed by Civic Nebraska will help you and your group evaluate the civic capacities to make progress on a particular issue or project that was discussed during a civil conversation.
Go to the QuizRequest a film screening of PURPLE
PURPLE tells the story of Americans with opposing viewpoints confronting their disagreements head-on and discovering the concerns and experiences that lie behind each other's positions.
Learn moreElection Stress
Although the election process can feel overwhelming, you can practice coping skills that will help you manage difficult emotions.
Check in with your mental health and develop a self-care plan that makes sense for you.
Learn moreQuestions? Send a message to Andrew Brown, andrew.brown@unl.edu