We promote understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of diverse groups by creating opportunities for direct communication and meaningful shared experiences.
Vision Dialogue Institute envisions a society where every person views and treats each other with dignity, people come around shared values to promote the common good of their communities as well as the world as a whole.
Dialogue Insitute is founded by the individuals who are inspired by the ideals and principles of Hizmet Movement, and serving as the central communicating, coordinating, convening advisory, and resource body for the local Hizmet Community in Kansas City
Our History Dialogue Institute Kansas City grew out of the need to address the question, “How can citizens of the world live in peace and harmony?” The Institute was established in 2002 as a 501-c-3 non-profit educational organization by Turkish-Americans and their friends. The Dialogue Institute Kansas City collaborates with chapters in five states, engaging in shared initiatives throughout the South-West United States. Many participants of the Institute’s activities are inspired by the ideas and activism of thinkers and activists like Mahatma Gandhi, M. Fethullah Gulen, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, Mevlana Rumi, and Mother Teresa who all emphasize the importance of understanding, acceptance, inclusiveness, justice and nonviolent peacebuilding in achieving the Beloved Community.
01 RESPECT FOR HUMAN BEINGS AND FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS
Hizmet participants believe that every human being has inherent value and everyone should be treated with dignity. Every person is equal as a human being and before the law, and no one person is superior to anyone else. Hizmet participants uphold all human rights and freedoms expressed in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Social justice and equal opportunity are requirements for equality among people.
02 RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW
Hizmet participants respect the rule of law. They do not see anyone as above the law, and they act within the framework of protection of human dignity, universal legal principles, and the laws of their country of residence. They manage their organizations in a way to meet or exceed the transparency and accountability norms of their society.
03 PEACEFUL AND POSITIVE ACTION
Hizmet is a peaceful movement. Hizmet participants reject using violence as a political tool. Hizmet participants prefer positive and constructive actions and reject hostility-driven and destructive actions.
04 EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN
Hizmet participants are committed to the ideal that women are provided with equal opportunity and can contribute to all aspects of society without discrimination, and they strive to meet this ideal in all activities.
05 ETHICAL ACTION
Hizmet participants pay attention to both ethical norms and moral principles in their activities. They abide by fundamental ethical principles including honesty, trustworthiness, harmlessness, and fairness. They believe that legitimate and rightful goals should be obtained through legitimate and rightful means.
06 RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY AND PLURALISM
Hizmet participants see collective and individual diversity as richness as long as they do not contradict fundamental human rights. They adopt an attitude necessary to avoid conflicts that stem from differences in sacred beliefs.
07 VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION AND ALTRUISM
For Hizmet volunteers, joining activities or leaving them is a person’s individual choice. Hizmet participants contribute to projects that bring to life their values and benefit humanity either through donations or volunteer work.
08 CONSULTATION AND SHARED WISDOM
Hizmet participants benefit from shared wisdom through discussions of different perspectives and opinions.
09 CIVIC NATURE AND INDEPENDENCE
Hizmet is a civil society movement and acts independently. It is not an extension of a state or a political entity. Hizmet volunteers emphasize the internalization of democratic values, active citizenship and community participation, and they respect every individual’s political choices. They stand against turning religion into a political ideology or making religion a tool of politics.
10 CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY
Hizmet participants consider it a social responsibility to contribute to society and to help solve societal problems. They see themselves as part of the human family. They are sensitive toward humanity’s problems and aim to serve humanity.
11 PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Hizmet participants view the earth, including its ecosystems, as a trust that must be preserved for future generations, and they contribute to protecting the environment.
12 HOLISTIC VIEW TOWARD HUMANITY (AND UNITY OF THE MIND AND THE HEART)
Human beings are both material and spiritual beings. Spiritual disciplines should be pursued along with reason and scientific research so that their material and spiritual needs are met, and they can flourish in both dimensions.
“Interfaith dialogue is essential in today’s times. The first step to successfully establish healthy communication is to let go of past misinformation and fear-based hostility and to enter the discussion with open minds.”