Community Conversations

A Community Conversation brings together members of a group, organization or neighborhood to join in a facilitated discussion  of a short reading. The facilitator introduces thought-provoking questions and encourages participants to reflect on the issues raised by the reading and discuss how they impact our lives and communities.

Engaging in a Community Conversation brings people together for the purpose of sharing and listening. For participants, it can be a unique opportunity to meet neighbors and new friends. For host organizations, a conversation program can bring new audiences and build a site's capacity as a public forum. For students and teachers, it's a new way to approach standard material, encouraging individual insight and critical thinking.

Current events are an ideal place to begin a community dialogue. The New York Council for the Humanities has developed reading and discussion resources for Martin Luther King Day. If you're interested in hosting a Community Conversation, please sign up using the form at right.

"I used the materials in a conversation class that I run for older adults.  I loved it.  The information that you guys sent to us provoked such strong conversation that the group wants to continue talking about this next time we meet."

	Check out our Classroom Conversations toolkit for teachers!
	Check out our Community Conversations for Families toolkit for libraries!