A healthy democracy depends on the ability to listen, debate, and collaborate across divides. CCDE equips leaders with skills in civil discourse, constructive dialogue, and conflict transformation, fostering environments where differences become opportunities for problem‑solving rather than barriers to progress.

Our Mission

The Constructive Dialogue Initiative (CDI) at the Goldman School of Public Policy equips our community to foster conversations where people with different viewpoints seek to understand one another—without giving up their own beliefs—in order to work together. Led by Dr. Erika Weissinger, CDI builds the democratic capacity needed to turn polarization into possibility.

What We Do

Student Champions

  • Constructive Dialogue Scholars: A program empowering graduate students to design and lead peer-to-peer initiatives that establish dialogue as a core policy and leadership skill.
  • Student Leaders: Mentorship and research opportunities for students interested in deepening the practice and understanding of constructive dialogue.
  • Alumni Network: Leaders driving collaborative solutions across public policy, government, and community sectors.

Academic Integration & Training

  • Core Curriculum Integration: CDI concepts embedded directly into GSPP Orientation and GSPP course offering.
  • “Perspectives” Online Training: An evidence-based course offered to students, faculty, and staff to teach practices for engaging in dialogue across differences. Supported by the Volcker Alliance.
  • Faculty & Staff Training: Professional development workshops and train-the-trainer resources.

Across Campus and Beyond

  • FLOURISH: Our signature framework and set of principles designed to foster inclusive, cross-perspective conversation campus-wide.
  • Community of Practice: A peer network for UC Berkeley centers and practitioners to share insights and collaborate on bridging across differences. Click here to explore the UC Berkeley landscape on Dialogue and Bridging.
  • Research & Toolkits: Measuring outcomes and publishing open-source practitioner toolkits for other universities.

The Network

Use the directory to explore the Constructive Dialogue network. Click on any portrait to open that person’s full profile.

Constructive Dialogue Network