Dialogue Across Differences

The Harvardcommunity is exploring what civil discourse is, why it’s important, and how we can foster it.

Last updated: January 2024

Starting the conversation

It鈥檚 important to distinguish between two senses of civility.

The first is a superficial kind of civility鈥攂eing nice, refraining from insults.

The second is a deeper, more important sense of civility that is about behaving in ways that are necessary for cooperative projects such as schools and democratic societies to work well.鈥�

Archon Fung, HarvardKennedy School professor

In a polarized society like ours, campuses are essential places to train and practice civility.鈥�

Eric Beerbohm, HarvardFaculty of Arts and Sciences鈥� senior adviser for civil discourse

A pernicious problem confronting virtually all human societies is people鈥檚 unwillingness to engage with views and opinions they do not share.鈥�

Julia Minson, associate professor at HarvardKennedy School

_{Photo courtesy of Jessica Scranton}

Fall views outside Swartz Hall at HDS. Kris Snibbe/HarvardStaff Photographer.

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As part of a commitment to open dialogue on campus and off, Harvardwill hold a series of events, including the聽 and 鈥溾€� with U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, designed to model productive dialogue. The University-wide programming is part of a broader initiative to address how the campus community can communicate more openly and constructively within classrooms and in the broader world.

Learn more about HarvardDialogues

Across the aisle

The ability to disagree constructively and across difference is important for learning and working together effectively, as well as being vital for democracy.

Two cartoon people pushing on a word bubble

Candid and constructive conversations

Explore how HarvardKennedy School is creating strategies to engage with competing perspectives, talk with those with whom we disagree, and ensure that all members of the community feel heard and respected.

HarvardInternational Review

Why is civil political discourse important for democracy?

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HarvardBusiness School

How can leaders find unity during challenging times?

HarvardKennedy School

Can politicians learn to disagree better?

HarvardGazette

Should we be worried about the rising heat of political discourse? Yes.

Starting early

Teaching children and teens how to have constructive, respectful conversations aimed at fostering understanding is foundational for a robust future and a healthy society.

Explore six tips for parents and family members to support teens in building and practicing skills that are fundamental to having productive conversations across different points of view.

Raising children in a digital age makes it essential for parents to help them process and think critically about the messages they encounter online, and to consider the impact that their own words and actions can have on others.

Discourse in action

This Civil Disagreement series is a collaboration among five institutes committed to reducing polarization by teaching students how to connect across political difference.

Responding to the climate change crisis

Civil disagreement

Through this series, the 黑料网’s Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics has explored , , , and .