New York University has established the Berkley Institute for Civil Discourse and Civic Solutions, a new initiative designed to bring together students, scholars, and leaders with differing viewpoints to address key civic challenges. The Institute is funded by the Berkley Family Foundation, created by William Berkley, chair emeritus of NYU’s Board of Trustees.
The goal of the Institute is to promote dialogue and listening among people with diverse beliefs. It will act as a center for conversations across the ideological spectrum at NYU.
Linda G. Mills, President of NYU, stated: “Higher education must be a beacon of open inquiry and civic purpose. 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.”
William Berkley commented on the university’s role in democracy: “Universities have a responsibility to strengthen the fabric of our democracy. I am proud to support this groundbreaking Institute, which will bring students from across the ideological spectrum into honest and civil conversation with one another. By expanding not only their knowledge base but also their listening skills, I believe a stronger, more engaged society will follow.”
The Institute plans annual events that gather elected officials, experts, and students to discuss major national issues from multiple perspectives. Students will work together despite political differences to design practical solutions for long-term progress.
The first theme for the Institute is “The Changing Lives of Boys and Men,” focusing on challenges faced by young men and boys in areas such as health, education, employment, and civic participation. The program aims to encourage discussions between individuals from various political backgrounds.
A Student Fellows program will select undergraduates committed to public service who are interested in engaging across divides. These fellows will participate in seminars and events centered on the annual theme and collaborate on a policy paper outlining their recommendations.
Public events featuring visiting scholars will be available for all members of the NYU community. The Institute also intends to use NYU’s global network by offering curricular experiences that expose fellows to different cultural contexts as they study each year’s topic.
Patrick Egan, Professor of Politics and Public Policy at NYU and inaugural director of the Berkley Institute said: “Belying stereotypes, today’s students are hungry for discourse that moves beyond polemic and polarization. Over two decades of teaching at NYU, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply students value the chance to engage with ideas that are different from their own. By bringing people to campus who are committed to testing ideas in good faith and learning from evidence, the Institute will equip future leaders with skills to bridge divisions, build coalitions, and make progress where it has too often stalled.”
An advisory committee made up of faculty from various disciplines—including philosophy, law, science, engineering, neural science, politics, business ethics leadership (Jonathan Haidt), professional studies (Angie Kamath), constitutional law (Richard Pildes), politics (Melissa Schwartzberg), and public service (Polly Trottenberg)—will help guide the Institute.
Jonathan Haidt added: “Universities should be places where we hear from leaders and thinkers with a wide range of ideas—and students fearlessly wrestle with these ideas to reach their own conclusions. The Berkley Institute will catalyze these efforts at NYU, and I’m proud to join this initiative.”
For further information about the Berkley Institute for Civil Discourse and Civic Solutions visit CivilAndCivic.org.
