In today’s polarized world, dialogue is more than just discussion – it’s a leadership skill. This program invites thirty Grades 10-12 students in the lower mainland to practice courageous curiosity, emotional resilience, and relational leadership by learning how to stay present in hard conversations, engage across differences, and recognize others’ dignity even in disagreement.
Program Highlights:
When: Half-Day Workshop (Saturday, Nov 1, 2025) 1:30pm–4:30pm
Where: Surrey City Centre Library
Who: 30 students between Grade 10–12
What: Students will participate in interactive sessions on topics such as (subject to change):
- What is Dialogue?
- How do we practice dialogue — with boundaries, care, and ethics?
- How do we develop our worldview and understand others’?
Applied Learning Challenge
After the workshop, students will identify a real-world issue, engage with someone holding a different perspective, and share their reflections through writing, video, artwork, or poster session (submissions due Wednesday Nov 26, 2025).
Scholarships & Recognition
For students
- $1,000 scholarship awarded to one (1) student team demonstrating outstanding relational leadership and innovative dialogue approaches.
- Leadership Certificate of Completion for all participating students.
For Schools
- Our ask: 1) share information about the opportunity; 2) offer references for potential candidates); 3) offer the student support if the student chooses to move forward with the scholarship opportunity.
- There is no requirement for the school or teachers to attend. Please reach out to us if you are interested in attending and observing.
- One (1) School sponsoring the selected scholarship recipient will also receive a $250 recognition award to support their ongoing leadership and civic engagement programming.
Why Participate?
This initiative builds not only technical dialogue skills but also the courage to engage with difference, humility in listening, and creativity in problem-solving. Students will explore how dialogue can be a powerful tool for celebrating diversity, leadership, bridge-building, and community change.
Timeline
- Workshop: November 1, 2025
- Student submissions: November 26, 2025
- Scholarship announcement: Early December 2025
- In-person or online poster/reflection/creative presentation: Mid-December
(Please note that dates may shift)
| Special Note:
If you require special arrangements or are unable to attend the in-person workshop held on a Saturday afternoon due to cultural, religious, or heritage observances, please reach out to us. We’d be happy to help you find an alternative way to participate and submit your project. For future iterations in 2026, we are also planning to offer an additional weekday option to better accommodate cultural, religious, and heritage observances. |
About The Laurier Institution
A nationally registered charity founded by a group of local changemakers in 1989, The Laurier Institution works with partners to ignite collaboration, deepen shared learning, and inspire action around equity, diversity and inclusion. Our research and educational initiatives are supported by our generous donors and sponsors, members, and project-based funding. We welcome inquiries about potential collaborations and other opportunities aligned with our mission and values.
For more information or to register your school’s interest, please contact by October 17. Registrations will close once the maximum number of participants is reached.
Registration Form
https://forms.gle/DAhe1WhHRdoCMsZC8
For more information:
