The Intergroup Dialogue Project (IDP), brought to Cornell in 2012, is an opportunity for Cornellians to develop dialogue about and across identity differences, in order to create a more empathetic community that doesn’t just tolerate difference, but celebrates it. Our courses and workshops are specially designed to empower participants to communicate and collaborate across social, cultural, and power differences, and to promote equity and democracy in their communities.

With a strong emphasis on the sharing of personal stories, IDP’s peer-led model allows participants to teach and learn from each other’s lived experiences of privilege, oppression, and difference. Coupled with our thought-provoking selection of academic reading materials, IDP powerfully blends theory with experiential learning in pursuit of our key goals – raising consciousness of our myriad social identities, exploring the causes and effects of social inequities at the individual and structural levels, and strengthening individual and collective capacities to promote and advance equity and inclusivity.

IDP has had an indelible impact on the Cornell community. Since its inception in 2012, IDP has undergone explosive growth. From a 30-student offering for undergradutes to a course that reaches 200 students a semester (EDUC 2610) and has expanded to include offerings for faculty, staff, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and alumni, “IDP” is becoming a recognized acronym on campus. Our student facilitators are not only leaders in organizations across Cornell, but also contribute to academic research, newspapers, and social movements in the wider community. Our dialogue workshops have been well-received by myriad Cornell student groups and departments. For more information about our program and demographic information about our undergraduate course, EDUC 2610, click HERE.

Our program is developing rapidly, and we would love to have you on board! Join us as we continue to affect change on campus. Watch our video below to learn more!