Crossroads Conversations is a public program series that invites passersby from all walks of life and political convictions to gather in public space for thoughtful dialogue on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

Harnessing the distinctive power of public space as a platform for unexpected encounters and compassion between strangers, Crossroads Conversations invites participants to join in 10-minute conversations with a fellow stranger facilitated by journalists and subject area experts. The series, which Van Alen Institute first launched in 2016 in New York City’s Times Square, encourages people to reveal multifaceted personal beliefs, engage in robust debate, and find common ground with those who may hold differing perspectives.

View the full calendar of the Opportunity Space Festival.