Practical Pluralism: A Toolkit for Action

Here is a collection of resources, strategies, and actions to guide your next steps.

Two women with dark skin tones walk down a street. It’s a sunny day. A group of people with a range of light to dark skin tones walk behind them.

Bring pluralism home

Practicing pluralism means building the skills and mindset to engage meaningfully across differences, build trust, and find shared goals to drive action. Whether in neighborhoods, workplaces, or community groups, we all have the chance to strengthen these skills. Let's be real. It's not always easy—especially in polarized times—but that's what makes these skills more important than ever.

Where might you practice pluralism in your daily life?

Hope to Action values graphic

© 2024 The Obama Foundation

The Obama Foundation’s Hope to Action Values Framework—rooted in the leadership principles of President and Mrs. Obama and co-designed with global changemakers—highlights values that bring pluralism to life. Consider which of these values resonate most with you, and explore the resources below to dive deeper.

  • Apolitical Foundation: Making Progress in Polarized Times Workbook

    Use this workbook to explore additional values framework, reflect on your role in today’s polarized world, and get practical tools for making progress.

    Download the workbook (Opens in a new tab)

  • Interfaith America: Bridgebuilder Basics

    Learn skills to bridge differences and foster common action for the greater good with Bridgebuilder Basics.

    Visit the tool (Opens in a new tab)

  • LAB at Interfaith America

    Share your bridge-building goals and receive Interfaith America's tailored recommendations for impactful resources and opportunities.

    Visit the tool (Opens in a new tab)

  • BridgeUSA: The Conversation Facilitation Guide

    Get practical lessons for leading transformative conversations on challenging topics.

    Download the guide (Opens in a new tab)

  • Search for Common Ground: Peace and Justice Through Collaborative Action

    Learn to transform conflict into cooperation for a dignified and peaceful future.

    Download the toolkit (Opens in a new tab)
A graphic reads, “Listen to Listen, Not to Respond” and “Focus on fully understanding the speaker’s perspective without planning your response while they are speaking. This promotes deeper comprehension and meaningful exchange.

Excerpt from the BridgeUSA: The Conversation Facilitation Guide

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A graphic with two columns read, “Drivers of Polarization” and “Driving Factors.”

Excerpt from the Apolitical Foundation: Making Progress in Polarized Times Workbook

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A graphic with 5 rounded circles and a timeline reads, “Where polarization is experienced.”

Excerpt from the Apolitical Foundation: Making Progress in Polarized Times Workbook

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Infographic titled '5 Vital Signs of a Healthy Society,' listing Trust, Institutional Legitimacy, Safety, Agency, and Resourcing as key indicators of societal health. Co-branded by Search for Common Ground and the Obama Foundation."

Excerpt from the Search for Common Ground: Peace and Justice Through Collaborative Action Toolkit

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The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

How will you put pluralism into practice?

Share with President Obama and the Foundation your commitments to fostering understanding, trust, and unity among people.
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Disclaimer for resources: These resources are being provided as a convenience and for educational and informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Obama Foundation, and the Obama Foundation bears no responsibility for the accuracy or legality of the content of the external site or subsequent links from an external site.