Continue the Day of Dialogue

February 7, 2011 — The Day of Dialogue that took place last September – intended to be a day for the University of Virginia to begin a sustained effort to build a more caring, compassionate community – is being continued with a new initiative, "Dialogue Across UVA."

Students, staff and faculty are invited to join discussion groups that will explore social issues affecting the U.Va. community. Small, mixed groups will meet in five biweekly sessions over the course of the spring semester. Led by trained facilitators, the discussions will address the impact of race, gender, class, violence and power dynamics.
 
The dialogues will take place during the weeks of Feb. 14 and 28, March 14 and 28, and April 11. Sign-up is required by Feb. 9. A catered lunch is included.

To turn dialogue into action, groups will have the opportunity to produce documentation of identified key issues, and to participate in the Day of Service on April 16, being held in conjunction with the inauguration activities for President Teresa A. Sullivan.

Space in the dialogue groups is limited; only individuals able to commit to all five meetings should register. Managers and supervisors are encouraged to allow staff members to participate in Dialogue Across UVA, which is fully supported by University leadership. Staff participation will be tracked via a sign-in process at the meetings.

Sustained Dialogue, an organization that includes student and faculty discussion groups, along with other U.Va. students, staff and faculty, are encouraging the process of transforming relationships over time through Dialogue Across UVA.
 
For information, visit the Dialogue Across UVA website or e-mail dialogueacrossuva@gmail.com.

— By Anne Bromley

Media Contact

Anne E. Bromley

Office of University Communications