What is Sustained Dialogue?
Sustained Dialogue is an intentional, patented, and replicable peace process used to improve challenging relationships and come to action in intergroup conflicts.
The Sustained Dialogue Institute helps people to transform conflictual relationships and design change processes around the world. We define dialogue as “listening deeply enough to be changed by what you learn.”
Our Work
SDI works to improve community capacity to engage differences as strengths while helping people move from dialogue to action.
Hold a Training
SDI provides workshops and educational trainings tailored to your institution’s needs. Hold training in your workplace, community organization, nonprofit, college, or university.
Establish a Program
We work in a sustained way with a variety of institutions, civic organizations, and workplaces to provide ongoing technical support toward the most inclusive, creative community possible.
Our Impact
SDI works to improve community capacity to engage differences as strengths while helping people move from dialogue to action.
Campuses
Countries
Workplaces
Communities
News and Updates
Save the date: July 28-30, 2023 for our Summer Leaders’ Summit
Now online: Harold H. Saunders Conflict and Peace Studies Collection
Announcing Leadership Change at SDI
10 Tips for Facilitating Virtual Dialogue
Our Team’s Favorite Projects of 2021
Winter 2020 Newsletter: Election Prep
Upcoming Open Events and Trainings
Testimonials
Keith Alexander, St. John Fisher SD Alum
Sustained Dialogue has uplifted me … it gave me that empowerment. My GPA boosted dramatically my junior year. I owe it to Sustained Dialogue.
Sian Miranda Singh OFaolain, Princeton SD Alum
My involvement leading SD was inspiring. I learned the importance of individuals’ experience in shaping their worldview, the value of listening, the necessity of being open to personal change, and the need to respect the complex intersections of people’s identities. SD has been instrumental in shaping my commitment to issues of social equality.
Jacqueline Switzer, Consultant and Workplace Programs Manager at the Level Playing Field Institute
I use the skills I learned through SD constantly when communicating with clients and colleagues. Being able to check biases & assumptions and open our hearts to the point where we truly empathize and understand where others are coming from is the deeply enriching gift of SD. It is also necessary for the health of our communities and society as a whole.
LaForce Baker, Denison SD Alum
I believe that implementation of SD enabled members of my campus to come together as a close-knit family, instead of strangers. I’m proud to be a part of an organization that embodies such diversity, acceptance, and honesty. This is how to make large-scale societal change in the ways we interact.
Ellie Canter, Nonprofit Director
Turning the Page worked with SDI on “Building Authentic Relationships Across Difference” to equip us with skills and language to engage effectively with our partner schools and communities. We have used the practices in our community workshops and leadership activities to maintain that space between parents and teachers and school leaders. We enjoyed the training so much for our new AmeriCorps members.
Billy Choo, Northwestern SD Alum
I was trained for Sustained Dialogue at NU in 2013. I recently used the SD model to lead a workshop where the group challenged social norms of masculinity with an audience of majority men. One participant at the end of the workshop asked how I came up with my questions and, honestly, all I could say was SD and everything it taught me. Thank you for the amazing training 2 years ago that I still use.