Video summary
Vermont Listens is a community initiative designed to foster connection by shifting the focus from divisive political issues to shared personal values such as art, respect, family, and friendship. The program operates on the premise that when people discuss what they hold dear rather than what they oppose, it becomes easier to discover common ground with those who hold different opinions. By starting conversations around core principles like love, community, and a sense of belonging, participants often find themselves startled by how much their value systems align, which effectively breaks down barriers and rebuilds trust among neighbors.
A unique aspect of this gathering is the practice of silent listening, where all audience members must remain quiet without audible reactions or applause while others speak. This discipline encourages vulnerability and deep engagement, asking individuals to reflect on who they are as human beings instead of defining themselves by their opposition to others. The goal is to transform how people perceive one another, moving from seeing each other as opponents in a political debate to recognizing them as fellow humans worthy of relationship and collaboration.
As a public land-grant university, the University of Vermont sees itself not just as an institution for Chittenden County but as a resource for the entire state that must be present in all communities. The program aims to ensure that the university remains a model for what a thriving democracy looks like by bringing citizens together to talk about what matters to them and why. Ultimately, the legacy of Vermont Listens is intended to create a tangible impact on human hearts and lives, ensuring that neighbors can once again exist in meaningful relationship with one another across the state.
Read the full video transcript
What do I value?
>> Art.
>> Respect.
>> Neighbors.
>> My family.
>> What do I value?
>> Access.
>> [music]
>> Friends.
>> Relationships.
>> Listening is sometimes perceived [music]
as weak, as soft, as passive.
>> As we look out across the country, we
see how difficult it's become for people
[music] to engage with each other,
especially when they disagree.
>> Vermont listens is an opportunity
[music] for regular everyday citizens in
community to get together and talk about
what matters to them and why.
>> By focusing on values, we give people a
chance to talk about what matters to
them and why, instead of beginning with
issues, which can often drive people
further apart. [music] What you often
find is that it startles people to
discover how much they might have in
common with the value system of somebody
else.
>> What do I value? Community.
>> Community.
>> Sense of belonging.
>> Collaboration.
>> Learning.
>> While people are speaking, all
participants in the audience have to
practice silent listening. No audible
reactions, no clapping, just listening
and taking in what they're saying.
>> The value of talking about values
>> [music]
>> is that it really asks someone to think
about what they are for as [music] an
individual, rather than what they're
against. It asks people to be
vulnerable. That in and of itself
>> [music]
>> breaks down barriers and builds
community.
>> This university is a public land grant
university that was founded in order to
serve the [music] state and the people
of Vermont.
>> We are not the University of Chittenden
County. We are the University of
Vermont, and we need to be present in
all communities throughout the state.
>> My biggest hope is that we get neighbors
and community members to see each other
as human beings again, to exist in
relationship and community with one
another.
>> UVM has a role to play in ensuring that
we remain a model for what a thriving
democracy looks like.
>> I want the legacy of this program to be
an [music] impact on human hearts and an
impact on human lives. And I think this
is a fundamental part of that.
>> What do I value?
Love.