​Campus Compact, an NCDD member organization, offers an invaluable resource with its “Better Discourse: A Guide for Bridging Campus Divides in Challenging Times.” As campuses face increased polarization and tension, this guide provides practical, reflective strategies for fostering productive dialogue. With its focus on relationship-building and leveraging existing assets, it serves as an essential tool for campus leaders in 2025. The guide includes contributions from NCDD members, Sara Drury and Lisa-Marie Napoli, among others. Read more in the blog post below.

Essential Partners, a member organization of NCDD, exemplifies the power of dialogue in bridging divides. Through their Reflective Structured Dialogue (RSD) model, they empower individuals and institutions to engage across differences with empathy and skill. Upcoming workshops in May, June, and July 2025 will offer immersive training for educators and dialogue practitioners to create inclusive and resilient communities—from college classrooms to high school settings. Their work aligns closely with NCDD’s mission and provides accessible, impactful tools for navigating today’s most complex conversations. Read more in the blog post below.

​The International Listening Association (ILA), a valued NCDD Network Partner, emphasizes the transformative power of listening through thoughtful questions and deep engagement. In a recent podcast, ILA members Raquel Ark and Dr. Michael W. Purdy explore how conscious listening fosters connection, community building, and democratic discourse. Their conversation offers valuable insights into improving communication and promoting empathy, especially in polarized times. Read the blog post below to learn more.

NCDD Network Partner, National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) and NCDD Member Org, Living Room Conversations recently announced the new tool, The School Community Toolbox. They are seeking facilitators and school representatives for its first open call to participate in join the training program and utilize the toolbox. This program trains participants to address community challenges and improve school-community dialogue. Graduates receive certification in collaborative problem-solving, a chance to join a national training team, and endorsements from NAFCM and LRC. With limited spots and special pricing, this comprehensive training enhances community understanding. Apply by the deadline March 12th to support better communication in education. Read more in the blog post below!

As ​NCDD friends, Living Room Conversations (LRC) approaches their 15th anniversary in 2025, it’s a perfect time to celebrate their journey from a small pilot project to a leader in deliberative dialogue. Since its founding, LRC has remained dedicated to bridging divides through structured conversations, fostering trust and understanding across differences. Rooted in the parlor tradition, the organization has grown into a nationwide movement, offering over 150 conversation guides and inspiring meaningful discussions on critical societal issues. As LRC looks to the future, they invite community input to shape the next chapter — read more in the blog post below.

This guide, originally shared by NCDD a few years ago, offers helpful strategies for navigating challenging conversations during the holidays. Political discussions or other hot topics can often become contentious, but these six tips promote meaningful dialogue and understanding. Suggestions include practicing active listening, staying open-minded, and focusing on shared values or personal stories rather than debating facts. By fostering curiosity, seeking common ground, and ending discussions on a positive note, these tips aim to keep holiday gatherings constructive and harmonious despite differing perspectives. Read the blog post below for more.

NCDD members, the National Civic League, are preparing to launch the Healthy Democracy Ecosystem Map and are seeking assistance in ensuring data completeness and accuracy. Their mission is to identify, categorize, and quantify existing organizations, networks, and funders who work to promote and protect healthy democracy in America, and to create a compelling, interactive resource that educates and empowers users. The map aims to offer a comprehensive view of organizations promoting healthy democracy in America, covering various areas like civic education, voter engagement, and civic technology. Read the blog post below, fill out the form, and learn more here. 

Many suburban developments built in the last century are now facing urgent repair needs. NCDD member, Miles Fidelman, an engineer with extensive experience, is addressing these challenges in his community of Nagog Woods, a 50-year-old condominium complex. He highlights the necessity of comprehensive measures and collaboration to avoid skyrocketing costs and catastrophic failures. Fidelman invites the community to follow his journey of organizing and financing major renovations, aiming to create sustainable, affordable, and well-maintained neighborhoods. Through this initiative, he seeks to provide a blueprint for other communities to follow. Thanks to Miles Fidelman for sharing this announcement with the NCDD network! Learn more in the blog post below and read the article here. 

"Everyone’s In" (EI) is a new initiative from NCDD friends, the National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI), designed to facilitate respectful and inclusive discussions on controversial political issues. It aims to promote understanding and learning, with a focus on elections and voting. The program employs updated forum formats and materials for both online and in-person settings, incorporating informal polls, background information, and thoughtful dialogue to ensure inclusive participation and engagement on political subjects. Find resources and upcoming training opportunities in August to support using the EI guides. Read more in the blog post below and learn more here.

NCDD member org, Essential Partners, announced their new publication, Guide to Dialogues About Israel-Palestine, to actively equip those interested in facilitating dialogues in various settings. This guide emphasizes the importance of respecting diverse perspectives without compromising identities or advocating extreme viewpoints, recommends skilled facilitation for highly polarized situations, and extends support to both trained and untrained facilitators. Its ultimate goal is to cultivate open, hopeful, and caring dialogue spaces amidst complexity and differences. Learn more below and on EP's site here.