Community Engagement
The Centre continues to develop cutting edge research projects and programmes by maintaining a solid range of publications, and by building research collaboration and partnerships with leading national and international institutions. The scope of the Centre's research agenda is continuously evolving responding to the challenges and opportunities that avail themselves in terms of probing the theory and practice of dialogue under different circumstances.
At present, seven key themes underline the majority of the Centre’s research and educational activities: dialogue of cultures and civilisations – theoretical, empirical and historical perspectives; managing cultural and religious diversity in Southeast Asia; conflict and dialogue in the Middle East; Cyprus – realities of conflict and prospects for dialogue; UN Alliances of Civilizations; reconciling divided communities in Australia; and interfaith and intercultural dialogue in local and regional settings.
As with La Trobe University, community engagement is at the very heart of the Centre for Dialogue’s mission. The Centre traces its establishment to a community-based campaign and since then has maintained an extensive community engagement component in most of its projects and activities. In valuing the University’s responsibility to provide educational opportunities, as well as a range of key social and economic initiatives, to its regional setting, the Centre extends its close community ties beyond Melbourne and Victoria, nationally and internationally, reaching a diversity of communities in Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
The M Project
A forum for an imaginative and creative intellectual exchange between postgraduate students and early career researchers of Muslim background and identity, with associates from across the Asia-Pacific region
Community Dialogues
Creating the opportunity for dialogue between communities and to foster the conditions for trust, mutual respect, dialogue and co-operation
Capacity Building for Reconciling Divided Communities
A three-year project which builds upon a previously funded project around the exploration and use of dialogue as a tool for conflict resolution
