The Dialogue Project: A Look at What Business is Doing to Help Reduce Polarization in Society (Non-CE Version)

Overview

In partnership with Gies College of Business, join us along with Bob Feldman, founder of the Dialogue Project, for a discussion on fostering civil discourse to mitigate societal polarization.

A polarized population means a polarized workforce and virtually every company has confronted the challenges of dealing with internal and external stakeholders on a wide range of controversial social issues. Furthermore, recent research indicates business is the most trusted institution in America today, ahead of government, the media and even NGOs.

The consequence is that critical pressures are facing today’s C-suite:

• Do you speak out on high-profile social issues?
• How do you navigate political discourse in the context of the workplace?
• Does a corporation have any obligation to educate and promote civic responsibility among its employees?

The Dialogue Project, housed at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, explores what role business can play to help reduce polarization and improve civil discourse. It sponsors research, conferences, Webinars and more. A wide range of companies and business leaders have contributed content as well as financial resources to bring more attention to this issue.

Bob Feldman, founder of the Dialogue Project, will join us and share examples of the work being done by companies today and how these companies are tackling the issues raised above. Bob will also allow plenty of time for discussion and to assure broad engagement.

Objectives

1. Understand the role of business in addressing societal polarization: Learners will be able to explain how companies are involved in mitigating societal polarization and fostering civil discourse.
2. Identify the pressures faced by business leaders in addressing political and social issues: Learners will recognize the critical challenges that C-suite executives face when navigating political discourse and social issues within the workplace.
   
3. Analyze strategies businesses use to promote civic responsibility and dialogue: Learners will assess how various companies are contributing to civic education and promoting responsible discourse among employees.
   

Registration and CE Information

• Register here for the Non-CE version.
• Please see the CE version if you need CEs
• The live webinar will be held November 4, 2025, from 12:00pm - 1:00pm
• Once registered, you will be able to access the course site to complete the Zoom registration to receive the link for the webinar.

Presenter: Bob Feldman

Bob, a longtime senior marketing and communications executive, is the founder of the Dialogue Project, a program that engages the world’s business leaders on what role business can play to reduce polarization in society, improve civil discourse and create a more productive climate for business productivity. Prior to founding the Dialogue Project, Bob had been vice chair of ICF Next, a global marketing firm; head of communications and corporate marketing at DreamWorks Animation; and chief executive officer of WPP’s GCI Group, a global communications consultancy.