DaytonDailyNews.com

"Religious Differences and the Moral Conversation" is the topic of this year's Robert E. Strippel Memorial Continuing Dialogue on Justice and Human Rights.

The Robert E. Strippel Memorial Fund was established to honor the work of Robert E. Strippel who devoted his life to improving the human condition. It is in the spirit of his vision for a just, poverty- and conflict-free world that an annual program in his name was envisioned and created.

After his death in 1974, his wife, Jane Strippel, established this fund for her late husband in 1979.

"I wanted to continue the work he had been doing for the university and community," said Strippel. "It was established to provide educational programs on current issues pertaining to justice and human rights for the university and wider Oxford community."

The program brings together students, faculty and staff of Miami University and citizens from Oxford and its neighboring communities.

"I'm thankful that this is available for the community to experience these programs," said Strippel. "When people can engage in respectful dialogue, (it) helps people broaden their views to understand more about the truth of the situation."

Robert Nash and Patricia Nguyen of the University of Vermont will lead the presentation, workshop and discussion on how to have productive and nonthreatening conversations on difficult and sensitive topics including religion, politics and lifestyle choices.

"This particular program is very much in line with the essence of the memorial," said Strippel. "Nash's focus is on all kinds of issues that are hard to talk about."

Nash, professor in the College of Education and Social Services, is co-author of the recently published ''How to Talk About Hot Topics on Campus: from Polarization to Moral Conversation,'' which served as the inspiration for this year's Strippel Dialogue, according to event organizers.

Reviewers describe the book as introducing new "ways of conducting 'moral conversations' that lead to greater understanding, engagement and respect for differences, rather than divisive contestation, retreat and anger."

Other sponsors include Miami's Center for American and World Cultures, Center for Community Engagement in Over-the-Rhine, department of educational leadership, Parents Fund and Harry T. Wilks Leadership Institute.

The event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, in 212 MacMillan Hall at Miami University and is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided. To pre-register, contact Dorothy Faulke of CAWC at (513) 529-8309.