Following the success of previous courses, the Dialogue Society is now consolidating its work on training provision through more structured and comprehensive dialogue training programmes. The "schools" which it is developing are intended to provide a solid grounding in essential theory and skills for organised dialogue. They will appeal both to trainers and to end-users. The Dialogue Society is particularly interested in making these programmes available to young people who lack access to such training and to small and medium-sized dialogue groups and charities which could particularly benefit from it. The aim of these projects is to increase the competence and confidence of young people and community groups from the UK and delegates from abroad.

The Dialogue School, launched in January 2010, is an interactive course of weekly two-hour sessions intended to equip young people with the understanding and skills to participate in and lead intercultural dialogue. Following the successful 2010 pilot the school will run again with various improvements in early 2012. The revised programme will be tailored to develop the leadership, project management, critical thinking and communication skills of participants as well as introducing them to various philosophical and practical approaches to dialogue. To read more, click here.

The first round of the Dialogue School comprised thirteen interactive sessions, well-attended by a diverse mix of participants between the ages of seventeen and twenty-seven. The sessions were designed to stimulate interest in intercultural dialogue, provide a safe and stimulating environment for open discussion of sensitive societal issues and equip participants with key skills for organised dialogue. Session content ranged from memory skills and time management to analysis of media coverage of events related to faith and multiculturalism.

The Media School, launched in November 2010, targets small to medium sized organisations, community leaders, religious leaders, public relations officers, students and other young people. It is intended to equip participants with the know-how and skill needed to positively engage with the media, presenting their cause or organisation effectively in a variety of media, avoiding misrepresentation and attracting useful media coverage. The interactive sessions are led by a range of special guests professionally engaged in the media. To read more, click here.

The Success School is a new project which seeks to raise the aspirations of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and inspire and equip them to work towards success. Talks from successful professional role models from a range of fields will be complemented by sessions looking at the causes of success and at the techniques, attitudes and skills that may contribute to it. To read more, click here.

Along with these skills-based courses, 2009-2010 saw an educative seminar series entitled 'Understanding World Religions,' intended to promote deeper understanding and appreciation of different religious traditions. The Dialogue Society has welcomed diverse audiences for introductions to Christianity, Judaism, the Bahá'í faith, Buddhism and Hinduism.