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The campuswide Intergroup Dialogue Initiative (IGDI) invites all UMass Amherst students, faculty and staff to join facilitated small-group circles during the Days of Dialogue, March 24-26. These dialogue, listening and storytelling circles welcome members of the university community to share and consider similar and different perspectives on a particular topic in small groups. Each circle will be co-facilitated by faculty and staff participating in the Dialogue Facilitation Fellows program.

Rooted in indigenous practices, circles rely on co-facilitated structures that use different methodologies that support sharing and listening to others’ perspectives and experiences. Circle facilitators use guidelines to encourage everyone’s participation such as speaking from their own experience, listening with the intent to understand and honoring confidentiality.

 The Days of Dialogue small-group circles will focus on:

• Listening Circles: How Are We Each Navigating Political Polarization in our Families, Classrooms, Workplaces, & Communities?
• Storytelling Circles: What Does Success, Fulfillment, and/or Purpose Mean to You at this Time in Your Life?
• Dialogue Circles: How Are AI and Social Media Interacting with Our Wellbeing?

Complete information, including dates and times for each circle, can be found on the Days of Dialogue webpage.

To register to attend a circle, complete the form found here.