Dialogue for Democracy

On Election Day, the Carter School at George Mason University invites students and teachers across the DMV to Dialogue for Democracy, a hands-on summit exploring the complexity of current issues. Students and Teachers will engage directly (see separate tracks and register below) with Carter School faculty and join in dialogue with one another about the challenges facing our democracy—and the solutions we can create to strengthen it. 

Student Track

On Election Day 2025, high school students from across the DMV will gather for a interactive workshop designed to explore the big issues shaping democracy—immigration, misinformation, extremism, the energy & the environment, and the global rise of populism. Through university faculty presentations, expert panel discussions, dialogue circles, and workshop activities, students, together with their peers, will explore the complexity of many issues facing this generation. 

Current Student Track Sessions:

Round 1 sessions (Select 1):

  • Democracy & Immigration, Professor Tehama Lopez-Bunyasi 
    • Session Description: Coming Soon
  • Populism and Polarization, Professor Dan Rothbart 
    • Session Description: Coming Soon
  • Children Under Fire: An American Crisis, Jordan Emely 
    • Session Description: Sandy Hook. Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Robb Elementary in Uvalde. Annunciation Catholic School. The list should end here, but these are just 0.002% of school shootings since Columbine. Each of these schools faced unthinkable tragedy, and yet real action to keep students safe hasn't happened. In this session, we’ll take a closer look at school violence—why it happens, what can be done to prevent it, and how it has shaped our democracy for decades. We’ll use powerful stories from John Woodrow Cox’s book Children Under Fire: An American Crisis, along with research and real evidence, to better understand the crisis and to think about democratic solutions. 

 

Round 2 sessions (Select 1):

  • Democracy & the Environment: Local Energy and Data Centers, Professor Sylvia Danielak 
    • Session Description: Coming Soon
  • Youth Engagement in Democracy, Professor Linda Mann 
    • Session Description: Voting Rights: A Lineage of Resistance. In this interactive workshop, students will learn about where their right to vote comes from, as well as myths and misconceptions of voting in the United States. Does our vote matter? Is my right to vote guaranteed? These are some of the questions we will be grappling with over the course of the session.

     

  • What is Viewpoint Diversity?, Professor Solon Simmons 
    • Session Description: Coming Soon

Teacher Track

On Election Day 2025, teachers from across the DMV will gather for a interactive workshop designed to explore the Conflict Analysis and Resolution topics in the classroom. Through university faculty presentations, dialogue circles, and workshop activities, teachers will explore the complexity of many issues facing this generation and find solutions to discuss it productively in the classroom.

Current Teacher Track:

  • The Role of History & Memory in Classroom Instruction - Dr. Karina Korostelina
    • Session Description: This presentation concentrates on the role that the identity-based training for history teachers can play in the development of peace culture among students. History education is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool that can alter the dynamics of identity-based conflicts, reducing negative perceptions and intergroup tensions and promoting mutual understanding and reconciliation between conflicting parties. The training for history and social science teachers, developed by Prof. Korostelina aims to examine the critical points in identity formation precipitated by history education and to identify ways to reduce conflict attitudes and intentions. Identity management plays a critical role in the formation of a culture of peace through history education.  The training helps increase teachers’ awareness of the impact of history education on conflict resolution and provide specific skills and knowledge about the role of history education in the framework of peace education

 

  • Integrating Conflict Resolution into Curriculum - Dr. Jeff Helsing 
    • Session Description: This interactive workshop helps high school teachers integrate conflict resolution into existing curriculum. Participants will explore classroom activities, simulations, and discussion strategies that promote critical thinking, empathy, and constructive dialogue—equipping educators to turn everyday lessons into opportunities for collaboration and peaceful problem-solving.

 

  • Fostering Curiosity: Removing the Echo Chamber - Dr. Solon Simmons and Jane Walker
    • Session Description: In a time of polarization and digital echo chambers, this workshop helps teachers cultivate curiosity, belonging, and authentic dialogue. Participants will explore strategies to build trust and community—key to helping students engage as informed citizens who seek understanding over agreement. The session will also examine the link between intellectual humility and curiosity, offering tools for facilitating classroom discussions that move beyond opinion-sharing toward meaningful civic discourse. Teachers will leave with practical approaches to creating connected, curious classrooms that nurture critical thinking and respectful engagement across differences.