What is a Dialogues Club?
A Dialogues Club is simply a group of people who meet regularly to have civil, constructive discussions on interesting and important issues. Like a book club without the need to read a book (though some prep is always good).
All you need is three curious people and a quiet space. Or it could be a major extracurricular activity with many participants. Or anything in between.
The purpose is social and intellectual enjoyment and development - doing what humans at their best have always done, uniquely as a species, for individual and group benefit. This is needed more than ever now - we call it social reasoning.
In the school context, a Dialogues Club is usually student-run, with light support and supervision from principals and teachers, creating excellent opportunities and experience for emerging student leaders. The scale, student age(s), frequency and organisation are completely flexible - schools’ circumstances and priorities differ.
BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS
Dialogues @ School
widening of personal, social and intellectual horizons.
confidence to think and speak independently, questioning polarised or orthodox views
extra public speaking opportunities for non-debaters (and debaters)
feeling of “having a voice” individually and collectively
sense of maturation and progress into adulthood in a healthy democratic community context
complement and extension of critical thinking classes and activities
complement and alternative to debating
solutions-orientation of dialogues is an antidote to teenage gloom, doom, and alienation
civic consciousness and development - all-round preparation to become good citizens
extra leadership, collaboration and organisational opportunities
