Democracy & Dialogues

Through the Democracy and Dialogues Initiative, UConn is working to increase democratic and civic capacity by supporting community dialogues on critical issues, providing moderator and facilitation training for dialogues and deliberations, and partnering with campus colleagues and local institutions to increase meaningful participation by all community members.

This initiative is part of Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs and supported by the Office of Global Affairs, the Office of the Provost, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Humanities Institute, UConn Extension, and the Division of Student Affairs’ Parent's Fund.

The Encounters Series is dedicated to fostering unexpected conversations around divisive issues and obscure knowledge. The program dives deeply into subjects that are of interest to the Greater Hartford community through facilitated, small-group dialogues followed by a question-and-answer style conversation with UConn faculty and community partners. Readings are provided beforehand to encourage informed and informal dialogue within conversations that often prove to be polarizing, and thus unproductive. Read more about The Encounters Series through Humanities for All.

Jan

15

UConn Dialogic Classroom
IPB

8:30 AM

This workshop offers practical tools to Faculty to help foster an open, conversational classroom culture, enhance student engagement, and prepare UConn students for dialogue competency in general education.
Jan

16

UConn Dialogic Classroom
IPB

12:00 AM

This workshop offers practical tools to Faculty to help foster an open, conversational classroom culture, enhance student engagement, and prepare UConn students for dialogue competency in general education.

Former members of Congress Fred Upton and Loretta Sanchez participate in a discussion with NBC CT anchor and reporter Amber Diaz.

At Visit to Dodd Center, Former Members of Congress Discuss Bridging Divides – and Issue a Call to Action

‘Today’s conversation is important, because it is a reminder of what our discourse can be’

Aerial image of the University of Connecticut during Fall 2023.

Metanoia 2024 Kick-Off on Wednesday, April 17

This year’s Metanoia will focus on ‘pathways to productive civil discourse’

Dodd Impact Team Seeks ‘A More Perfect Union’ Through Community Conversation

History professor Brendan Kane and other UConn experts hosted statewide discussions on the nation’s founding documents, funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Connecticut Humanities Council

Art, Music Faculty Collaboration Illuminates ‘Paradox in Political Tribalism’

Following a divisive election, a multimedia collaboration asks searching questions about values and principles.

Nana Amos

Director of Community Outreach & Engagement, Co-Director, Democracy & Dialogue Initiative , Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs

nana.amos@uconn.edu

Brendan Kane

Co-Director, Democracy & Dialogues Initiative
Professor, History & Literature, Cultures, & Languages

brendan.kane@uconn.edu

Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute

The Encounters Series

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