A November 18 release from NYU:
New York University today announced the launch of the Berkley Institute for Civil Discourse and Civic Solutions, a University-wide initiative that engages students, scholars, and leaders with divergent perspectives to tackle the most pressing civic challenges of our times. Founded on the principle that meaningful progress depends on both listening and dialogue among people of good faith with different beliefs, the Institute will serve as a locus for conversations across the ideological spectrum.
The Institute, made possible through a generous gift from the Berkley Family Foundation—established by William Berkley, chair emeritus of NYU’s Board of Trustees—reflects NYU’s longstanding commitment to addressing real-world problems through perceptive listening, rigorous scholarship, pragmatic action, and collaboration.
“Higher education must be a beacon of open inquiry and civic purpose,” said Linda G. Mills, President of NYU. “It’s not enough to talk about our differences of opinion, we must learn to bridge them. The Berkley Institute will show students how to do just that—to turn listening and dialogue into action and collaboration into progress.”
At a time of growing disagreement and declining trust in institutions, the Berkley Institute will emphasize constructive discourse and problem solving over abstract arguments and diatribes. Each year, many of the Institute’s events will convene elected officials, experts, and students to focus on one major national civic problem from multiple perspectives. From there, students will work together—despite their differences of opinion and party—to listen constructively and, in turn, to design concrete solutions for long-term progress.
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To learn more about the Berkley Institute for Civil Discourse and Civic Solutions, visit CivilAndCivic.org.