About The Oregon Dialogue Project
Empowering the Next Generation
The Oregon Dialogue Project is a student-led initiative dedicated to restoring political diversity in Oregonian classrooms. By equipping Oregon students with the skills of civil discourse, we are ensuring that as the next generation, we will feel more comfortable sharing, reflecting, and compromising, on our beliefs – including listening to others to understand.
Our Mission & Values
Our approach involves deep listening, strategizing, and implementing programs that benefit all students. Here's how our mission unfolds:
Fostering Civil Discourse
We believe in the strength of civil discourse and the importance of creating opportunities for everyone to express their perspectives respectfully. By fostering collaboration and inclusivity, we can build a future where we are able to separate the person from the issue.
Promoting Inclusive Education
Inclusive education is at the core of our vision –– a learning environment where every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to participate in respectful dialogue with their peers. We do not selectively include certain minority groups who agree with everything we stand for –– we include anyone, of any background, of any political opinion.
Empowering Student Voices
As student leaders ourselves, our vision prioritizes empowering students to drive positive change in their communities and schools, ensuring a space where everyone feels heard. This can start at the smallest scale –– we encourage students to disagree and share their perspective, especially when it deviates from the norm. It is important to realize that we all have opinions that may not be held by the majority of our teachers and peers, however, when we stop listening, we start polarizing.
Encouraging Youth Civic Engagement
We are committed to inspiring and empowering students to actively participate in shaping policies at their schools and local legislatures; these are the decisions that impact their educational journey and collective future.
Important Voices
The Oregon Dialogue Project's dedication and commitment have truly made a difference in our school. Their efforts to promote civil discourse and inclusive dialogues are inspiring.
Martin Luther King Jr.
"It's time for political leaders across the ideological spectrum to realize that, while partisanship is understandable, hyper-partisanship is destructive to our country. We need more visionary leaders who will earnestly strive for bipartisanship and finding policy solutions that can move America forward."
Zbigniew Brzezinski
"Bipartisanship helps to avoid extremes and imbalances. It causes compromises and accommodations. So let's cooperate."
Elissa Slotkin
"Where people are trying to split Americans from each other, I want there desperately to be bipartisanship."
Get Involved
Connect with The Oregon Dialogue Project
For inquiries or to learn more about The Oregon Dialogue Project, feel free to reach out using the form below.