In our current climate of political polarization, people with differing perspectives and opinions struggle to engage in productive conversation. We tend to be quick to defend or demonize, deepening the divide that exists in the American people. Even when we want to reach out to those with different perspectives, we often don’t know how.
In response to these issues, the Sabo Center with the Civic Studies Fellows is offering this day-long workshop will feature a morning Better Angels skill-building session in which participants will learn effective ways to communicate with others who differ from them politically or ideologically. Over lunch, Dr. William J. Doherty will deliver a keynote address. Bill Doherty is an educator, researcher, therapist, speaker, author, consultant, and community organizer who designed the Better Angels process.
In the afternoon participants will practice their communication skills in deliberative dialogues on topics including:
- How to Prevent Mass Shootings in the United States
- Land of Plenty: How to Ensure People Have the Food They Need
- Shaping Our Future: The Purpose of Higher Education
- Making Ends Meet: How Should We Spread Prosperity?
- What Should We Do About the Opioid Epidemic?
Relational Skills for Bridging Divides
Saturday, November 3, 2018
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Hagfors Center, Augsburg University
Thanks to support from Augsburg University and the Kettering Foundation, there is no cost to attend this event but registration is required.