Working with Veterans and Civilians

About the Program

Developed in 2008, the Veteran – Civilian Dialogue ^TM (VCD) is a powerful form of community building and social healing focused on addressing the cost of conflict in our society and to provide meaningful tools of reconciliation and healing. The VCD is a three hour live event with equal numbers of veterans and civilians in facilitated conversations around the impact of war upon both groups.  They have proven to be life altering for those who attend and healing for the larger elements of the communities that are brought together through the process.

Veteran – Civilian Dialogue (VCD) is a powerful form of community building and social healing developed two and a half years ago directly addressing the need for the reintegration of returning soldiers and the gap between veterans and civilians, often cited as a major barrier for successful transition to civilian life.  VCD is an important resource for transitioning soldiers back to civilian life as well as providing a place and invitation for civilians to step forward in new and responsible engagement with veterans.  VCD are 3 hour live events with equal numbers of veterans and civilians in facilitated conversations around the impact of war upon both groups, both having something vital for the other.  They have proven to be life altering for those who attend and healing for the larger elements of the communities that are brought together through the process.

VCD is part of a larger initiative by Intersections International to address the cost of conflict in our society and to provide meaningful tools of reconciliation and healing.  The dialogue process is instrumental in other Intersections’ initiatives.

VCD has been tested and proven in dozens of dialogue events.  It is regarded as a significant resource for reintegration of veterans and civilians to each other and the communities in which they live.  It further addresses the need that both groups have for relationship, resiliency and the overlooked struggle with the moral and psychological impact of war upon both groups.  

VCD is jointly facilitated by a veteran and a civilian trained in dialogue and group process.  The dialogues number a targeted average of 70 people.   Veteran and Civilian participants have come from successful outreach to the leadership of organizations including the Veterans Administration, Veteran Centers, Community Organizations that serve veterans, Veterans Mental Health Coalitions in New York City, Faith Communities, Universities and their Student Veteran Organizations.  It has attracted interest from the City and State Universities of New York and non-profit organizations.  

We’ve garnered coverage from the NY Times, Huffington Post, The Examiner, Public Radio, CBS News, Soldiers Radio and Television and Stars and Stripes Magazine

The New York Times: Talking Out Loud About War, and Coming Home
Huffington Post: Veteran-Civilian Dialogue: Intersection International Breaks Down Barriers
Huffington Post: WATCH: Veterans And Civilians Break Silence, Help Each Other Heal
Examiner: Veteran-Civilian Dialogue Event at Sterling Forest Friday, May 6 2011
WAMC Northeast Public Radio: Veteran-Civilian Dialogue 04/28/11
American Public Media: War and Words

Additionally, VCD has also been conducted for an historic first in the virtual world of Second Life.  This companion resource enables the development of veteran – civilian communities across geographic boundaries.   It is a national conversation and has occurred in diverse settings such as Seattle, upstate and downstate New York, Purdue and Rutgers Universities, The National Press Club in Washington, DC, public venues, universities and in locations including Seattle, Indianapolis and its home of New York City.  The arts and creative expression, both from veterans and civilians, have also been increasingly utilized in the dialogues with the hosting of several veteran’s plays and monologues highlighting veteran profiles.  Several thousand people have participated in the VCD Project.  We see it as a national movement that increases awareness about the shared impact of war on us all, furthers advocacy and creates shared responsibility and support for veterans and civilians and their obligations to each other.

 Read more about the philosophy of Veteran-Civilian Dialogues.

2011-2012 Calendar Of Events

Friday, Sept. 23, 2011: Veteran-Civilian Dialogue at Intersections International

Friday, Oct. 28, 2011: Veteran-Civilian Dialogue at Intersections International

Friday, Dec. 9, 2011: Veteran-Civilian Dialogue at Intersections International

Friday, Jan. 27, 2012: Veteran-Civilian Dialogue at Intersections International

Friday, Feb. 24, 2012: Veteran-Civilian Dialogue online via Second Life

Friday, May 4, 2012: Veteran-Civilian Dialogue at Intersections International

Friday, June 8, 2012: Veteran-Civilian Dialogue at Intersections International