The Dialogue and Deliberation Resources Hub and NCDD are offering a timely new training, Facilitating Shared Sensemaking in Complexity, focused on helping communities navigate decision-making when facts are contested and trust is fragile. Featuring practitioners from National Issues Forums Institute, the Federation for Innovation in Democracy, News Ambassadors, and Diapraxis, the session explores how dialogue, deliberation, and collective learning can be integrated to move groups from adversarial debate toward shared understanding. Participants will examine practical approaches to balancing expert knowledge with lived experience, designing transparent and inclusive processes, and supporting groups to reach “true enough” common ground for collective action amid uncertainty. For practitioners facing stalled conversations, polarized narratives, and information distrust, the training offers concrete strategies for facilitating learning together when complexity and disagreement are unavoidable.

The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) released December 2025 research demonstrating that classrooms function as civic institutions where positive classroom climate supports civic development as much as curriculum content, with findings showing that when teachers connected content to students' lived experiences, significantly more students participated in discussions compared to solely historical questions. CIRCLE's evaluation of Massachusetts' Investigating History curriculum found that positive climate empowers deeper peer engagement, socio-emotional learning strengthens civic learning when paired with civics instruction, and inquiry-based instruction with culturally sustaining practices helps students see themselves in history and make real-world connections. For dialogue and deliberation practitioners, this research demonstrates that positive classroom climate, culturally responsive instruction, and adequate teacher support all contribute to civic development, requiring intentional classroom design modeling democratic principles.

The Sustained Dialogue Institute (SDI) offers a proven five-stage dialogue process created by former U.S. diplomat Hal Saunders, defining dialogue as "listening deeply enough to be changed by what you learn" and shifting the practice from conversation to genuine transformation. SDI's effectiveness has been demonstrated in high-stakes contexts including the decades-long Dartmouth Conference between the United States and Russia and Tajikistan's civil war peace agreements, with the approach now adapted to engage approximately 125 campuses worldwide through monthly virtual skills sessions on listening, curiosity, self-awareness, and empathetic perspective-taking. The organization also provides workplace trainings and supports community dialogue in the United States and Latin America, offering dialogue and deliberation practitioners methods grounded in both theory and real-world impact that align with NCDD's commitment to strengthening democracy through inclusive engagement and collaborative problem-solving.

Civic Learning Week 2026, taking place March 9–13 with a National Forum in Philadelphia, highlights the urgent need to equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills for active participation in a self-governing society. Framed by the nation’s 250th anniversary, the week brings together educators, students, policymakers, and community leaders to emphasize the essential role of civic learning in fostering critical thinking, cross-perspective dialogue, and informed action. By bridging classroom education with real-world democratic practice, Civic Learning Week strengthens the capacities that underpin healthy communities and effective governance, while its cross-sector partnerships provide a national platform for collaboration, innovation, and renewed commitment to civic education.

The Sustained Dialogue Institute’s January 7–9, 2025, three-session training series offers community members a comprehensive introduction to Sustained Dialogue, a relationship-centered peacebuilding process designed to help groups move through conflict toward collaborative action. Rooted in a five-stage methodology developed by Dr. Harold Saunders, the training equips facilitators with skills in deep listening, emotional regulation, equitable facilitation, and crafting questions that foster understanding across differences. Accessible to participants of varied backgrounds and experience levels, the workshop models inclusive learning practices while preparing graduates to co-facilitate dialogue groups and join a supportive practitioner network. Ultimately, the series strengthens local democratic capacity by helping communities build the relationships needed to address complex issues constructively.

Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, North Carolina has woven dialogue into the core of its community, demonstrating how young people can lead transformative conversations across lines of difference. With support from Essential Partners, students are trained to facilitate nuanced, story-driven dialogues that replace debate with deeper understanding—helping the school navigate tense moments like the 2024 election while strengthening relationships. More than 90 student facilitators, along with trained educators, now guide discussions on challenging topics ranging from empathy to gun violence, creating a cultural shift that sustains more thoughtful, connected community engagement. Ravenscroft’s model shows how dialogue-centered education can empower students as civic leaders, reshape institutional culture, and offer a compelling blueprint for other schools committed to bridging divides.

​Round Sky Solutions is offering a free webinar on January 27, 2026, introducing practical tools for teams striving to share power and collaborate more effectively. Drawing from the organization’s long-running Cooperative Leadership Certification Program, the session will feature somatic grounding practices, frameworks for addressing tension in meetings, and opportunities to connect with others navigating the challenges of democratic management. The article highlights how shared-power teams often struggle with unclear processes and entrenched dynamics, and explains how Round Sky’s approach—rooted in mindful facilitation, inclusive decision-making, and supportive peer learning—helps leaders build more equitable and collaborative organizations. The webinar also serves as a preview of the full 11-week program beginning in March, with applications due February 8, 2026.

Harvard’s EdEthics initiative is launching a free virtual Community of Practice for the 2025–26 school year to support K–12 educators navigating increasingly complex and politically charged classroom environments. Through monthly facilitated sessions held from September 2025 to June 2026, the program offers a dedicated space for teachers to share experiences, explore ethical dilemmas, and strengthen their capacity to lead inclusive, thoughtful dialogue amid curriculum restrictions and shifting policy landscapes. In addition to providing direct support, the initiative includes a connected research effort that will document insights from participants—while maintaining strict confidentiality—to create professional development resources for educators nationwide. By amplifying teacher expertise and fostering collaborative learning, the Community of Practice advances democratic dialogue and equips educators to handle challenging conversations with integrity.

The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation is proud to feature the Reflective Practice & SRI® International Certificate Program, a seven-session virtual professional development opportunity running from January 28 through July 22, 2026. Designed for mediators, Ombuds, peacebuilders, and dialogue professionals, the program provides a structured, collaborative space for deep reflection on practice. Guided by Dr. Tzofnat Peleg-Baker and Dr. Bryan Hanson, EdD, participants explore the Structured Reflection Intervention (SRI®) framework to strengthen self-awareness, refine interventions, and deepen professional mastery. Limited to 15 participants, the program fosters connection within the Community of Reflective Practitioners (CoRP)—a global network supporting continued growth and cross-cultural learning. Early registration by November 30, 2025, offers a 20% discount, with additional savings for colleagues who enroll together. This program embodies NCDD’s mission to advance dialogue, learning, and excellence among those bridging divides in complex social and organizational conflicts.