Diversity Dinner Serves up Rich Topics

The Diversity Dinner Dialogues, an annual event designed to promote understanding among the many ethnic groups that call North Texas home, returned to UT Dallas last night with a discussion about cultural traditions.

The dinner was facilitated by UT Dallas student leaders, and the talks were designed to provide attendees the opportunity to hear and share their thoughts about topics relevant to the local community.  

“The goal is to break down racial barriers, encourage cross-cultural communication and share diverse perspectives about the impact of race and culture on daily life,” noted Arthur Gregg, assistant vice president for multicultural affairs and head of UT Dallas’ Multicultural Center.

The program was organized to maximize open communication and minimize debates and disagreements, and seating for the 68 attendees was assigned to maximize the diversity of participants. 

The student facilitators leading the dialogues were trained to lend structure to the evening and used techniques designed to minimize debate and maximize understanding among people representing different backgrounds.

The Diversity Dinner Dialogues was created by a team of students, staff and faculty.  The first official dinner — “Politics and its Effects on Local Communities” — took place prior to the presidential election last fall.  Subsequent discussions will be coordinated by an advisory committee of students and staff.

The dinner took place in connection with International Week.  It was held in the McDermott Suite on the fourth floor of the McDermott Library.

The Diversity Dinner Dialogues was held in partnership with the Office of Diversity and Community Engagement, the Multicultural Center, the Galerstein Women’s Center, SUAAB, the International Student Services Office, Global Village and Residence Life.