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Dialogue is the art of conversation across boundaries of difference (Sister (Dr.) Mary Boys, SNJM)

Conversations Series

Welcome back! The 2025鈥�2026听Virtual Conversation Series听is here, and we can鈥檛 wait to connect with you. Parents/caregivers, students, staff, and community members will join in meaningful conversations about the topics you鈥檝e told us matter most. Expect lively discussions, practical insights, and opportunities to learn from one another in a supportive, engaging space.

This year鈥檚 series is brought to you in partnership with the Parent/Caregiver and Community Engagement Office (PCCEO), the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC), the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, and the Urban Indigenous Education Centre, with generous support from the Ministry of Education鈥檚 grants.


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Opening Conversation

Opening Conversation

Civil Discourse: Learning to Discuss, Not to Dismiss

January 29, 2026
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

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Presenter:听 Randy Boyagoda

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We believe that progress is born from friction and that innovation is sparked by dissent. Yet, we increasingly shield ourselves from ideas that make us uncomfortable. In our pursuit of harmony, have we accidentally sacrificed growth? This presentation makes a compelling case for embracing intellectual friction and reviving the art of good-faith disagreement. We will explore how civil discourse acts as the engine of a healthy democracy, a thriving workplace, and an enlightened society. This isn't just about being polite鈥攊t's about being brave enough to engage with complexity and courageous enough to change our minds. Join us for a thought-provoking look at why the future depends on our ability to talk to people we disagree with.

Randy's Biography

Randy Boyagoda is a novelist and Professor of English at the University of Toronto, where he also serves as the university's advisor on civil discourse, the first such position in Canada. He was named one of Toronto's fifty most influential people by Toronto Life magazine because of his work in civil discourse. He is the author of seven books, including four novels that have been nominated for the Giller Prize, the IMPAC Dublin Literary Prize, and named New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice selections and Globe and Mail Best Books of the year. A frequent contributor to CBC Radio, including as a national columnist on civil discourse, and former President of PEN Canada, he writes opinions, essays, and reviews for publications including the Atlantic, the New York Times, the Financial Times of London, the Globe and Mail, and The Walrus. He also podcasts for the Toronto Public Library and lives in the east end of Toronto with his wife and their four daughters.