Academy of Professional Dialogue

The Academy of Professional Dialogue is an international non-profit charity registered in the United Kingdom under charity number 1177022. It is dedicated to the advancement of education by promoting and providing training in the practice and methodology of Professional Dialogue™, an approach designed to foster common understanding and collaborative problem-solving among individuals and organizations with diverse and conflicting views.

Mission and Purpose

The primary objective of the Academy is to advance education for the public benefit by:

• Offering education and training in Professional Dialogue™.
• Conducting and publishing the results of studies and research related to Professional Dialogue and its applications.

Professional Dialogue™ is a skillful method of talking and thinking together, aimed at establishing common meaning within groups. It emphasizes understanding rather than convincing and enables organizations and communities to harness collective intelligence for better decision-making and creative problem-solving. This method not only improves communication but also generates sustainable strategic and operational change by transforming organizational culture and shifting entrenched behavioural patterns for the collective good.

Scope and Application

Professional Dialogue™ is applied broadly across multiple sectors and settings, including:

• Multi-national corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and business supply chains.
• Government agencies, public sector bodies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Educational institutions, including schools, universities, and research entities.
• Community groups, neighborhood associations, and civic forums.
• Healthcare systems, criminal justice, and social service organizations.
• International development and migration contexts.

The approach combines “soft” communication skills with structural or “hard” skills, particularly useful in complex, multi-stakeholder situations where participants face significant challenges in engagement.

Organizational Structure

As of the latest reporting period, the Academy has:

• Six trustees overseeing its governance.
• Forty-one volunteers contributing to its operations.
• No trustees receive remuneration or financial benefits.
• No employees with total benefits exceeding £60,000.
• No trading subsidiaries.

Financial Overview

For the financial year ending March 30, 2024, the Academy reported:

• Total income of £47,816.
• Total expenditure of £57,970.

Educational Programs and Activities

The Academy offers various accredited programs, short courses, and events focused on Professional Dialogue™ training. It maintains an educational community and runs online conferences to foster a global network of practitioners. The organization also supports ongoing research and publications in the field.

International Presence

The Academy has expanded its presence internationally, including the establishment of a US Academy of Professional Dialogue, reflecting its commitment to fostering dialogue and mutual understanding in diverse cultural and organizational contexts.

The Academy of Professional Dialogue is recognized for its unique contribution to education and organizational development through a structured and evidence-based dialogue methodology that promotes wellbeing and cooperative engagement in society.

[1] https://www.aofpd.org [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1177022&subid=0 [3] https://aofpd.org/about/national-academies/usa/ [4] https://ngoexplorer.org/charity/1177022 [5] https://www.professionaldialogue.com/what-is-professional-dialogue