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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The  has awarded a $93,000 grant to support Western Michigan University's civil discourse initiative, We Talk, to expand its educational opportunities to create a campus and community culture receptive to resolving conflicting beliefs through intentional listening, rational actions and language, and empathy.

The first initiative of the partnership will be bringing Dave Isay, founder of StoryCorps, an ongoing national oral history project, and its initiative to Kalamazoo on Monday and Tuesday, March 28 and 29. Isay will speak about this work at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Fetzer Center’s Kirsch Auditorium. The event is open to the public, and free parking is available in the Fetzer Center lot. .

One Small Step (OSS) is an offshoot of StoryCorps, the national nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving and sharing the stories of Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs. This multiyear effort brings together strangers of differing perspectives for courageous and meaningful conversations about their lives. These small but effective interventions help decrease feelings of contempt across political divides, allowing Americans to see one another as human beings.

Developed over the past three years by StoryCorps with the input of scientists, researchers and psychologists, the initiative records 40-minute conversations among unlikely pairings of individuals in today’s hyperpartisan and politically charged environment. Conversations recorded for One Small Step are not about politics but rather about who we are as people, what we care about and our dreams for the future. Every interview becomes part of American history at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, with participant permission.

Isay’s presentation will serve as the kickoff event for the Kalamazoo community to engage with One Small Step and participate in an interview. An OSS coordinator assigned to the community will assist participants with scheduling the conversations that will be recorded April through October.

President Edward Montgomery says the University is unequivocal in its commitment to civil discourse, free speech and the inclusion of all voices to address these challenges.

“Western is committed to continuing our efforts to address sensitive topics and build a more inclusive campus and community,” says Montgomery. “This generous grant from the Fetzer Institute will allow us to expand We Talk programming. One Small Step is a vitally important step in that direction, and this partnership with the Fetzer Institute will greatly strengthen our efforts and reach.”

More than 1,000 campus and community members have participated in We Talk programming since the initiative’s launch event in February 2020. Activities include a two-day campus and community visit by a nationally recognized author in fall and spring semesters, monthly free speech cafés featuring campus and community panelists, and a conversational exercise that promotes connection and compassion—Moving Conversations @ 51������. Most events are recorded—often by student videographers—published on YouTube and available to the public for use in the classroom, workplace and at home. Learn more about We Talk.

About the Fetzer Institute

The Fetzer Institute is helping build the spiritual foundation for a loving world. It supports this mission by working with thought leaders to develop programs and research projects, and issues grants in sectors including faith and spirituality, democracy, education and organizational culture. .

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