Freedom + Responsibility
At Cornell, we are deeply committed to fostering an environment where freedom and responsibility are not just principles, but the foundation of our daily interactions and growth. The Freedom and Responsibility initiative is inspired by Carl Becker’s challenge to all of us to temper passions with reasoned discourse and civil engagement and to remember what we owe each other in this precious community. This initiative invites every member of our community — students, staff, faculty and alumni — to engage deeply with one another through reasoned discourse, civil engagement and mutual respect.
As we embrace the freedom to learn, explore and share ideas, we also acknowledge the responsibilities that come with being part of a diverse academic community that is united in its mission. This means not only advancing knowledge and innovation but also upholding respect and consideration for differing viewpoints.
Join us in this important dialogue as we continue to shape a community that honors both the liberties and the duties we share in our pursuit of greater understanding and impact.
Featured Programs/Events
The Center for Dialogue & Pluralism (CDP), formerly the Intergroup Dialogue Project (IDP), works to foster a campus culture of democratic engagement and intentional communication across and about differences. This year's offerings include enhanced workshops, specialized courses and targeted training designed to facilitate collective exploration of current issues and thoughtful dialogues rooted in curiosity and connection.
Learn MoreLaunched in September 2025, this faculty-led committee is exploring how the university can evolve to best serve future generations while pursuing its core mission of education, scholarship, public impact, and community engagement.
Learn MoreThe Center on Global Democracy at Cornell’s Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy will advance purpose-driven interdisciplinary research where it can have the most impact on people’s lives, develop new curricular and engagement opportunities to train our students, and promote public policy engagement with practitioners and policymakers to improve the exchange of ideas and democratic practices.
Learn MoreA collaboration between the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, the College of Human Ecology, the Center on Global Democracy, the Center for Dialogue & Pluralism, and Cornell Career Services, this one-credit course – held in person over a day and a half with asynchronous preparation beforehand – invites students to reflect on these questions while exploring how their academic journey can serve as a foundation for civic leadership and professional purpose.
Learn MoreA new course being offered in spring 2026 will give students the chance to consider some of the most polarizing issues in our world today – and get more comfortable having uncomfortable conversations about them.
Learn MoreEngagement Opportunities
Resources
The Judith Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies
An interdisciplinary program devoted to research and teaching on the problems of war and peace, arms control and disarmament, and more generally, instances of collective violence.
Guide on strategies for cultivating democratic education and dialogue
A written guide, designed to help faculty and staff prepare to facilitate productive dialogue related to sociocultural and political issues.
Engaging Viewpoint Diversity in the Classroom
The Center for Teaching Innovation offers a framework and approaches to encouraging free and open inquiry, engaging wide-ranging and sometimes conflicting or contending ideas, and fostering inclusive learning environments where students feel challenged and supported.
Global Cornell, Global Democracy
Throughout this academic year, Global Cornell is hosting events and discussions dedicated to exploring global democracy, democratic institutions and how to safeguard them, representation and accountability, and the transnational impacts people around the world will experience as this year of elections unfolds.
