External Dialogue Resources
Courses & Toolkits
The following are bridging-related toolkits and resource guides from various nonprofit and educational organizations. They offer practical tools, frameworks, and learning materials that support respectful conversation, active listening, and constructive engagement in different contexts.
Courses & Toolkits
Books/ Media
Programs and Networks
Guides for Facilitating Across Differences
Constructive Dialogue Institute – Activity Guide: Listening Sessions
Description: Structured listening activity where participants share, listen without interruption, and ask constructive questions.
Link: https://constructivedialogue.org/assets/Activity-Guide_-Listening-Sessions.pdf
Best Contact: Constructive Dialogue Institute — info@constructivedialogue.org
Constructive Dialogue Institute – Activity Guide: Structures for Dialogue
Description: Resource guide describing dialogue structures and activities that encourage student participation and sharing.
Link: https://constructivedialogue.org/assets/Activity-Guide_-Structures-for-Dialogue.pdf
Best Contact: Constructive Dialogue Institute — info@constructivedialogue.org
The People’s Supper – People, Politics & Reweaving the Social Fabric
Description: Guidebook for hosting story-sharing and listening gatherings focused on deep listening and relationship building.
Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15btWIjDmx6ZEvWnPa4cwmsocNRuS36mj
Best Contact: The People’s Supper — info@thepeoplessupper.org
Guides for Engaging Across Differences
Braver Angels – Skills for Bridging the Divide
Description: Practical guide covering listening, speaking, and relationship-building skills across political differences.
Link: https://courseware.braverangels.org/skills-for-bridging-the-divide/index.html#/
Best Contact: Braver Angels — info@braverangels.org
Commons Library – Bridging Across Political Differences
Description: Practical guide offering context-sensitive frameworks, tools, and examples for engaging across political differences in civic and community settings.
Link: https://commonslibrary.org/bridging-across-political-differences/
Best Contact: Commons Library — librarian@commonslibrary.org
Greater Good Science Center – Bridging Differences Playbook
Description: Research-based guide organized around intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup practices for bridging differences.
Link: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/Bridging_Differences_Playbook-Final.pdf
Best Contact: Greater Good Science Center — greater@berkeley.edu
Greater Good Science Center – Bridging Differences Playbooks & Course Materials
Description: Collection of playbooks, activities, and learning materials for practicing bridging across differences.
Link: https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/who_we_serve/bridge_builders/playbooks_and_course
Best Contact: Greater Good Science Center — greater@berkeley.edu
Harvard Graduate School of Education – Navigating Social Issues in the Classroom: A Toolkit for Educators as Community Bridge-Builders
Description: Three-phase toolkit: prepare, build, and engage. Has strategies and lesson materials for helping grades 7-12 students discuss social issues constructively across differences.
Link: https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/resources-for-educators/ecbb-toolkit
Best Contact: Making Caring Common — mcc@gse.harvard.edu
Interfaith America – Fostering Pluralism in Higher Education
Description: Practical guide for fostering pluralism through leadership, curriculum, and co-curricular engagement.
Best Contact: Interfaith America — info@interfaithamerica.org
Subject-Specific Toolkits/ Guides
Disagree Better – How-To Guide
Description: Guide focused on thinking, listening, and speaking practices that improve disagreement across differences.
Link:
Best Contact: National Governors Association (Disagree Better) — membership@nga.org
Divided Community Project – Leading a Divided Campus
Description: Guide offering strategies for responding to conflict, protest, and division on college campuses.
Link: https://kb.osu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/1288930b-46aa-431f-888c-32ee38f2ab2b/content
Best Contact: Divided Community Project — froehlich.28@osu.edu
Essential Partners -Race in America: A Free Dialogue Guide
Description: Step-by-step facilitation guide for dialogues about race and race relations.
Link: https://whatisessential.org/resources/race-america-free-dialogue-guide
Best Contact: Essential Partners — info@whatisessential.org
Institute for Democracy & Higher Education – Free Speech & Inclusion Discussion Guide
Description: Structured guide for framing and leading campus conversations about free speech, inclusion, academic freedom, and civil discourse, with activities and action-planning prompts.
Best Contact: Institute for Democracy & Higher Education — idhe@aacu.org
Interfaith America – Shared Values Facilitation Guide
Description: Facilitation guide using storytelling and discussion activities centered on shared values.
Link: https://www.interfaithamerica.org/resources/shared-values-facilitation-guide/
Best Contact: Interfaith America — info@interfaithamerica.org
Living Room Conversations – Kindness Conversation Guide
Description: Structured conversation guide focused on exploring experiences of kindness through facilitated dialogue.
Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/download/kindness/
Best Contact: Living Room Conversations — contact@livingroomconversations.org
National Council for the Social Studies – Israel and Palestine Teaching Toolkit
Description: Toolkit for teaching and facilitating discussion about the Israel–Palestine conflict and related issues.
Link: https://www.socialstudies.org/resources/israel-and-palestine-teaching-toolkit
Best Contact: National Council for the Social Studies — publications@ncss.org
Dialogue Across Difference Initiative
1500 Public Affairs Building
337 Charles E Young Dr E
Los Angeles, CA 90095