Respectful Dialogues is a single, three-hour intensive workshop that helps students recognise and practise respectful, psychologically safe debate while building political literacy. Using Australian parliamentary discourse as a live case, the session covers circle-based ground rules, Deep Listening, “observing self”, and moving beyond right/wrong binaries. Students then explore harmful vs respectful debate and practise a “deep-democracy” viewpoints activity using the Plastic Pollution Treaty scenario, preparing them to observe a Senate sitting and translate these skills back to campus life. This work supports student mental health and cultural safety by foregrounding care, curiosity, and dignity in disagreement. Student will be required to complete all reading on the Plastic Pollution Treaty in order to participate effectively in this KNOT.

The workshop aims to:

Provide students with firsthand exposure to parliamentary processes, real-world political discourse, and structured analysis of debates.
workshop respectful and constructive debate within the ANU on-campus residential community student and University communities.
develop critical thinking and emotional intelligence through structured reflection and facilitated discussions.
support collective student mental wellbeing by creating safe spaces for expression, fostering connection, and enhancing students' sense of agency in political discussions.

Completion details: After the workshop, students are requested to attend a Senate sitting between 27 October and 06 November, then submit a 1,000-word reflection connecting their observation to the KNOT concepts.

This workshop is organised by the ANU McCusker Institute. For more information please visit: https://mccuskerinstitute.anu.edu.au/study/knots/25-10-08-respectful-dialogues/

About this opportunity:

This workshop is for ANU students only, registrations with a non ANU email address will not be processed. This workshop is offered as part of the SoCIETIE Curriculum Initiative at the McCusker Institute at ANU. Participation by people who are not enrolled in the ANU SoCIETIE Curriculum Initiative is possible.

Deadline for Registration extended: 6st of October 2025, 5pm

Contact the host of Respectful Dialogues Workshop

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