NAIS Civil Discourse Lab in Partnership with Close Up Foundation

NAIS Civil Discourse Lab


The 2024 NAIS Civil Discourse Lab: Building a Plan to Foster Constructive Conversations During Election Season has reached capacity, and registration is now closed. The wait list is also now closed.

To learn more about fostering authentic dialogue to engage your community and further your strategic goals, especially around contested issues or at times of division, register for the 2024 NAIS Institute on Intercultural Dialogue.


2024 NAIS Civil Discourse Lab: Building a Plan to Foster Constructive Conversations During Election Season
July 10–12, 2024
Yours Truly DC Hotel, Washington, DC

The NAIS Civil Discourse Lab: Building a Plan to Foster Constructive Conversations During Election Season in partnership with Close Up Foundation will give independent school educators a framework and tools to foster open and authentic dialogue around pressing cultural and political issues. Educators are encouraged to attend in teams to create a comprehensive community-wide action plan to navigate the U.S. election season and beyond.   

As national leaders in civil discourse and deliberative dialogue, Close Up Foundation and Stanford’s Deliberative Democracy Lab have decades of experience working with educators to develop strategies for facilitating conversations on challenging issues and bridging political divides.  This three-day experience has been adapted to address the unique needs of independent schools, students, families, and communities.  

Audience

This new event will benefit school heads, assistant heads, division heads, communications directors, diversity directors, social studies department leaders. Schools are encouraged to attend as teams of up to four participants. 

Topics Covered

Led by a diverse and experienced faculty, participants will:  

  • Explore questions such as: How should school leaders manage community members’ differing opinions? What should be the limits of free speech at school? What should schools do when political speech conflicts with the goal of cultivating safe and engaging learning spaces?  
  • Learn practical strategies for establishing group norms that foster empathy and civil dialogue across your school community.  
  • Practice using a values framework and deliberative dialogue to promote productive discourse about contentious issues.  
  • Create a multi-tiered plan for supporting productive conversation, including strategies for evaluating media coverage and the impact of AI and technology on elections and misinformation.
  • Gain access to Close Up’s Election Center materials for students and teachers.   

Registration Information  

The 2024 NAIS Civil Discourse Lab: Building a Plan to Foster Constructive Conversations During Election Season has reached capacity, and registration is now closed. The wait list is also now closed.

Registration Pricing Early Bird Pricing
(Through 3/27)		 Standard Pricing
(On or After 3/28)
Member Price $1,525 $1,750
Nonmember Price* $1,975 $2,200

*Contact us for more information about the benefits of NAIS membership, including discounted event pricing.

Hotel Accommodations

NAIS and the Close Up Foundation have reserved a block of rooms for July 10-12 at the discounted rate of $189/night (plus tax) at the Yours Truly DC Hotel (1143 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20037). Book your room here to get the discounted rate. As a reminder, the program will take place at the NAIS Headquarters and is within a short walking distance from the Yours Truly hotel.

Schedule 

  • Wednesday, July 10, 12:00–5:00 PM ET  
  • Thursday, July 11, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM ET
  • Friday, July 12, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM ET

Stay tuned for a detailed schedule and program coming soon.

2024 Facilitators

The NAIS Civil Discourse Lab in Partnership with Close Up Foundation will be facilitated by:

  • Alice Siu, Associate Director, Deliberative Democracy Lab, Stanford University
  • Scot Wilson, Vice President of Academics, Close Up Foundation
  • Sante Mastriana, Professional Development Manager, Close Up Foundation

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received in writing at this email address: [email protected]. Cancellations received up to 30 days (June 10) before the program's start date will be fully refunded, less a $75 administrative fee. Cancellations received less than 30 days prior to the program will not be refunded.

Contact Information

Please contact [email protected] or 202-973-9700 with any questions.