UW Diversity Forum

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Laura Rose

A close-up of Danielle Allen.

Danielle Allen

The UW-Madison Diversity Forum has been informing the public of the latest knowledge, research and practices in the diversity, equity and inclusion fields for more than 20 years. This year’s theme of “Bridging the Divide: Realizing Belonging While Engaging Difference,” centers on constructive dialogue and shared problem solving. The two-day event features authors, community organizers and activists, including keynotes by Danielle Allen, an author, Harvard professor and advocate for democracy reform (Nov. 14), and José Olivarez, an award-winning poet and author and the son of formerly undocumented Mexican immigrants (Nov 15). In person registration is full, but virtual seats can be claimed up until the start of the forum at diversityforum.wisc.edu.

media release: This year UW–Madison’s Diversity Forum will take place November 14 and 15, 2023 both online and in person at Union South. The theme for the 2023 conference will be Bridging the Divide: Realizing Belonging While Engaging Difference, in an effort to understand how we embrace shared problem solving and engage in constructive dialogue across a broad range of differences, from political to cultural to religious and more, to create living and learning communities characterized by a sense of inclusion and belonging.

The theme aligns with UW–Madison’s commitment to foster belonging, free expression, viewpoint diversity and meaningful open dialogue as well as the 2023-24 Go Big Read Selection, How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion by David McRaney.  

The Diversity Forum welcomes the campus and greater community annually for a two-day, conference-style event that is free and open to the public. The goal of the Diversity Forum is to impart the latest knowledge and research in the diversity and inclusion fields, educate about perspectives and best practices for equity and social justice, and activate attendees to make positive changes in the world.

Attendees hear from authors, community organizers, activists, researchers, and others working in the areas of diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion, as well as participate in engaging workshops and small group discussions to further their personal and professional growth and development and find new ways to make a positive impact on the world.

Day One of the 2023 Diversity Forum will feature a keynote address by author and Harvard professor of public policy, politics and ethics Dr. Danielle Allen. Dr. Allen is Founder and President of Partners in Democracy, advocating for democracy reform to create greater voice and access in our communities.The first 100 in-person attendees will receive copies of Allen’s book Justice by Means of Democracy and have the opportunity to get it signed after her keynote address.

On Day Two, the son of formerly undocumented Mexican immigrants and award winning-poet José Olivarez will deliver a keynote address drawing from his book Citizen Illegal. Olivarez’s poems use the lenses of immigration, in-betweenness, gender, class and family to examine and praise the world. The first 100 in-person attendees will receive copies of José Olivarez's book Promises of God/Promeses De Oro.

“The Diversity Forum annually provides an ideal space for all of us to come together as a community, to recharge, to learn and to grow,” said Dr. LaVar J. Charleston, UW–Madison deputy vice chancellor and chief diversity officer, whose office organizes the Diversity Forum each year. “This year’s topic is timely as we are increasingly learning how to embrace shared problem solving and engage in constructive dialogue across a broad range of differences in one of the most polarizing moments in recent history.”