President Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize For Starting the Dialogue

Bill Wilson Center encourages youth to get involved in the community and to learn the art of “dialogue.”  The hardest part for many of the kids to learn is that  a dialogue also includes listening.  They often are so enthusiastic about a subject that they want to jump in to express their view.  On the other hand, it is sometimes difficult to get teens to talk about anything to adults!  Go figure.

It appears that everyone, including President Obama was surprised that he has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize so early in his presidency.  Perhaps it is a strong endorsement of the process of dialogue and inclusion — we don’t all agree but at least we can sit down and discuss matters of importance in a civil way.

According to  the Former Peace Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Obama has already provided outstanding leadership in the effort to prevent nuclear proliferation.

“He has shown an unshakable commitment to diplomacy, mutual respect and dialogue as the best means of resolving conflicts,” ElBaradei said.

I am struck by how difficult it has been recently to have civil dialogues — whether on health care reform or passing a state budget — no one wants to compromise.  I am working with a group of concerned leaders from the Silicon Valley American Leadership Forum to create opportunities for participative dialogue.  The Collaborative for the Common Good invites everyone from Silicon Valley to join in.