Welcome to the Australian Centre for Dialogue Project

The Centre for Dialogue is to be a major national and international institution where groups and individuals will join in dialogue on issues of the day. As noted in the media, it will bring the really important meetings to Australia and its national capital. It will be a secure, neutral and welcoming environment that fosters respect and understanding of differing values, perceptions and objectives.

It will be established for Australia and the Asia Pacific Region in a landmark building of high architectural quality to be built in the heart of the National Capital on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, in the National Science and Humanities Campus between Questacon and the National Library, on a site already provided by the Federal Government. It will be operated by the Australian National University. Similar to the Centre for Dialogue in Vancouver, Canada, it will be a purpose-built in-the-round venue for government, business, community groups and international summit meetings to hold constructive dialogue on national and international issues and professional courses in dialogue and negotiation skills.

The Centre is currently hosted by the College of Law at the ANU and can draw on the expertise of the ANU in dialogic technique, in the design and facilitation of dialogue events, the use of dialogue in research and the development of professional, executive and tertiary education programs based around dialogue.

Please view our Vision and Mission Statement (PDF) and watch our brief explanatory movie about the Australian Centre for Dialogue.
 

Changes at the Centre for Dialogue

From January 2009 the Centre for Dialogue Steering Committee became an Advisory Board and founding director, Peter Hancock, became one of its co-chairs.

The 2009 Centre for Dialogue Advisory Board comprises:

Mr Erik Adriaanse, Independent Property Group (external appointment)
Professor Gabriele Bammer, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU
Professor Michael Coper, ANU College of Law
Professor Stephen Dovers, Fenner School of the Environment and Society, ANU
Mr Peter Hancock (Co-Chair)
Professor Toni Makkai, College of Arts and Social Sciences, ANU
Professor Mandy Thomas, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research), ANU (Co-Chair)
Professor Andrew MacIntyre, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, ANU
Ms Joan Uhr, Director, Endowment for Excellence, ANU.

The director of the project from January 2009 is Lyn Stephens. She is an experienced facilitator with a strong professional interest in dialogue.

Centre for Dialogue Annual Report and Updated Feasibility Study

The Centre for Dialogue Annual Report 2008 is available here.

The Centre for Dialogue Feasibility Program 2008 updated the 2004 study to reflect the impact of the new site on Lake Burley Griffin and increases in building costs.