Campus Dialogue

Lead with empathy, grow from conflict

With severe polarization at home and an ongoing escalation in violence around the world, protests and clashes are flaring up across US college campuses, reinforcing battleground mentalities and threatening the safety of students, as well as the values of free expression, inclusion and pluralism. 

Drawing from over two decades of experience harnessing the power of intergroup dialogue, Soliya designs and implements dialogue and training programs at US college campuses for young people to transform the way they engage with difference by experiencing first-hand the art of constructive civil discourse and nurturing their ability to be empathetic, to listen to radically different opinions, to think critically, and to collaborate effectively with others. 

  • “I loved the Soliya Program. We had the choice to talk about what we wished, discuss crises and political views that we were interested in, without feeling as if what we had to say was wrong because there was no right answer. We spoke of how we felt, how we experienced things, and we listened.”

    Female, 19, American | Campbell University, NC, USA

  • “It felt wonderful to work together with people whose values varied drastically from mine. I learned how to become a better active listener and understand others without being judgmental. I also learned how to ask valuable and insightful questions."

    Male, 19, American | University of Texas San Antonio, TX, USA

  • "The best thing about the Soliya Program was being able to share our opinions without being judged. It was a very safe space and everyone was comfortable. The conversations were the best. It was such an awesome experience."

    Female, 22, Bahamian | University of Maine Machias, ME, USA

  • "I learned that it's extremely important to put myself in others' shoes when disagreements occur, since this will make me more understanding of others' perspectives and allow me to become better at discussing my viewpoint."

    Female, 18, American | Stockton University, NJ, USA

  • "I learned to be more confident in situations that are unfamiliar to me, and I learned how to find common ground with people who are different from me. This is such a unique program."

    Female, 20, American | University of Texas San Antonio, TX, USA

Transformative Campus Dialogue

Soliya's dialogue programs foster safe, inclusive and equitable spaces on your campus for constructive, meaningful and respectful engagement across different perspectives among students, faculty and staff grappling with these deeply divisive and complex issues.

In small groups, participants embark on a journey of self-discovery, deep listening and collaborative learning by engaging in facilitated discussions on divisive and polarizing issues. Following a well-established curriculum, Soliya’s diverse facilitators with expertise in relevant regional conflicts guide participants in a deeply personal, immersive and authentic dialogue, exploring the roots of each others’ perspectives, understanding heightened emotions in times of conflict, building trust, and establishing habits for constructive engagement. 

Training for Constructive Engagement

Soliya's facilitation training focuses on process-oriented learning that equips student leaders with the skills and tools necessary to address political and cultural differences constructively and respectfully amongst their peers. Trainees learn to create safe spaces for dialogue, build empathy, manage strong emotions, resolve conflicts and facilitate constructive, respectful, and authentic engagement across differences through a learning-by-doing methodology that is interactive and practice- and feedback-based to activate and cement learning within trainees' lived experiences and contexts.

Leadership & Communication Training

Soliya delivers experiential, process and practice-oriented training modules, equipping teams with tangible skills in proliferating a silo-busting culture of inclusion, radical listening and deep empathy. The Leadership and Communication training will empower key university personnel and faculty with inclusive and empathetic leadership skills. Trainees will learn to master authentic communication that addresses emotions and grows through diversity and conflict and to effectively engage their teams and students across differences and in times of heightened emotions.

Proven impact

Soliya’s program methodologies have yielded lasting, measurable impact and are highly scalable. For an in-depth look, please visit our impact section.