The Longest Table, a civic dialogue event featuring (you guessed it) a long table and guided discussion, has taken place in communities across the US.

This year, WashU will host its third annual Longest Table event to kick off the Gephardt Institute’s weekly civic dialogue and learning events, Civic Café. Our theme will be “Moving Forward Through Uncertain Times.”

The Longest Table brings together people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and interests not just to share a meal but to envision ideas for social change and build relationships that support working towards a shared vision. Attendees join a table, and Gephardt Institute staff and campus partners serve as dialogue facilitators to create an intentional, supportive, and creative space. Participants are encouraged to sit with guests they don’t know for the best experience.

Event registration is strongly recommended. Unregistered participants will be permitted to join the event until we reach capacity. 

We are grateful to our 2025 event partners, the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government and Public Policy, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), Dialogue Across Difference (DxD), the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity (CRE2), and Education and Engagement.

Registration Form

For more civic conversation events, please check out our weekly Civic Café program every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Learn more here!