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Home > College Offices > Dean of Students > Intergroup Dialogue Project > What is Intergroup Dialogue?
What is Intergroup Dialogue?
“Intergroup Dialogue is a form of democratic practice, engagement, problem-solving, and education involving face-to-face, focused, facilitated and confidential discussions occurring over time between two or more groups of people defined by their different social identities” (Schoem & Hurtado, 2001). In their book, Intergroup Dialogue: Deliberate Democracy in School, College, Community and Workplace, Schoem and Hurtado describe in detail the following characteristics of dialogue:
- Dialogue is a process, not an event.
- Dialogue is about relationship building and thoughtful engagement about difficult issues.
- Dialogue requires an extended commitment.
- Dialogue takes place face-to-face.
- Dialogue focuses on both intergroup conflict and community building.
- Dialogue is about inquiry and understanding.
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