Mesa, Tempe mayors agree to Disagree Better

The mayors of Mesa and Tempe have launched a bipartisan effort aimed at elevating civil discourse and fostering constructive dialogue across the state.

Mesa Mayor John Giles and Tempe Mayor Corey Woods recently announced the start of the Disagree Better Arizona initiative, which “stems from a shared commitment to improving the quality of public discourse and addressing the growing divide in communities,” according to a release.

“Cities are on the frontline for tackling everyday challenges and drawing on diverse perspectives to shape the future. It’s important that we model and promote the kind of respectful discourse that leads to real progress,” Giles said.

“Disagree Better Arizona isn’t about abandoning values or ignoring problems. It’s about leading with respect and starting conversations to rebuild trust and connections with our friends and neighbors.”

Woods said: “The Disagree Better Arizona initiative gives people the tools they need to engage in meaningful discussions. It’s about focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us. That is so important in our families, our neighborhoods and our cities.”

The initiative has a free online toolkit at disagreebetteraz.com , designed to help navigate disagreements “in a respectful and productive manner, particularly during the contentious election season,” the release stated.

The toolkit includes tips for keeping conversations civil, strategies for avoiding common pitfalls during election season and guidance on how “to stay engaged in the democratic process without succumbing to negativity or divisiveness.”

“We all have a role to play in making our communities stronger, and it starts with how we talk to one another,” Giles said.

“By learning to disagree better, we can ensure that our cities remain places where everyone’s voice is heard and respected,” Woods stated in the release.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org .