National surveys show that 77 percent of Americans report having few or no friends with different political beliefs. In an era when disagreement often means disconnection or division, UW–Madison is focused on encouraging ongoing engagement and fostering the robust, productive exchange of ideas.
The Wisconsin Exchange: Pluralism in Practice is a campuswide initiative that aims to help students, faculty, and staff engage, live, and lead in a polarized world. Our goals are to enhance viewpoint diversity at UW–Madison, promote vigorous discourse and debate, and to intensify our campus culture of civil dialogue.
We don’t expect or want everyone to agree. But we are determined to keep talking — and listening — to each other.
How your gifts make an impact
Your gift can help nurture free expression, viewpoint diversity, and civil dialogue by supporting:
- events that model how to discuss — and disagree about — difficult issues with skill and care
- courses that teach civil engagement as an essential skill
- partnerships with organizations advancing this work on a national scale
When we teach people to turn civil debate into a regular practice, we give them the tools to lead and thrive not only on campus, but across the nation and around the world.
Why we need your support
At a time of deep polarization, UW–Madison has both the opportunity and the responsibility to help people gain understanding, build bridges, and develop greater skills for constructive engagement across their differences. This institutional priority is generously funded by gifts from donors like you.