# Centre for Dialogue

> research institute at La Trobe University

**Wikidata**: [Q5062409](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5062409)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_for_Dialogue)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centre-for-dialogue

## Summary
The Centre for Dialogue is a research institute and interfaith organization based at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. Established in 2006, its primary purpose is to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation and foster understanding across different faiths. The centre operates as a distinct entity within the university, dedicated solely to research and dialogue rather than teaching.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** 2006
- **Location:** Melbourne, Australia
- **Affiliation:** Part of La Trobe University
- **Primary Function:** Research institute
- **Secondary Classification:** Interfaith organization
- **Website:** http://www.latrobe.edu.au/dialogue (archived July 22, 2014)
- **VIAF ID:** 123910635
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** no2010201279
- **Freebase ID:** /m/026pk76

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Centre for Dialogue?
A: The Centre for Dialogue is a research institute and interfaith organization located at La Trobe University in Melbourne. It was founded in 2006 to conduct research and promote understanding between different faiths.

### Q: How does a research institute differ from a university department?
A: While university departments balance teaching and research, a research institute exists specifically to conduct research. The Centre for Dialogue, as a research institute, focuses entirely on generating new knowledge and systematic investigation in its field without undergraduate teaching obligations.

### Q: Where is the Centre for Dialogue located?
A: The Centre for Dialogue is located in Melbourne, Australia, as part of La Trobe University.

## Why It Matters
The Centre for Dialogue represents a critical intersection of academic rigor and social bridge-building. By operating as a dedicated research institute, it can pursue long-term, in-depth study of interfaith relations and dialogue—a field that requires sustained attention to complex human dynamics. Unlike policy-focused think tanks or teaching-focused university departments, this centre exists purely to advance fundamental understanding in its domain. In an era of increasing religious diversity and tension, such institutes provide the foundational knowledge needed to address societal challenges, making them essential infrastructure for both academic progress and social cohesion.

## Notable For
- **Dual Classification:** Distinguished as both a research institute and an interfaith organization, a unique combination that positions it at the intersection of academic inquiry and practical social engagement.
- **Dedicated Research Focus:** Operates as a pure research entity, separate from the teaching missions of its parent university, allowing for concentrated, distraction-free investigation.
- **Formal Academic Recognition:** Holds official identifiers in major knowledge organization systems, including the Library of Congress and VIAF, cementing its status in the global academic landscape.

## Body
### Organizational Identity and Affiliation
The Centre for Dialogue is a specialized entity established within the framework of La Trobe University. It holds a dual classification as both a **research institute** and an **interfaith organization**. As a research institute, its primary purpose is to conduct research, a function that distinguishes it from other types of organizations. Unlike universities, which balance research with teaching, or think tanks, which often focus on policy influence, this centre is dedicated to fundamental inquiry and knowledge generation. Its additional designation as an interfaith organization specifies its domain of focus, likely centering on the systematic study of relations between different religious traditions.

### History and Location
The centre was founded in **2006** and is geographically situated in **Melbourne, Australia**. As a constituent part of La Trobe University, it benefits from the institutional resources and academic environment of the university while maintaining a focused mission aligned with the characteristics of a specialized research institute. Its public digital presence was historically maintained through its official website, `http://www.latrobe.edu.au/dialogue`. A snapshot of this website is archived as of **July 22, 2014**, providing a record of its activities and online representation during that period.

### Knowledge Representation and Classification
The Centre for Dialogue is formally recognized and cataloged in several major knowledge systems, which underscores its academic legitimacy. These unique identifiers allow for its precise identification across global databases and library catalogs.
-   **VIAF ID:** 123910635
-   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** no2010201279
-   **Freebase ID:** /m/026pk76
-   **Wikidata Description:** "research institute at La Trobe University"

These classifications place the centre within the broader category of research institutes, a globally recognized organizational form covered in over 40 languages on Wikipedia. This categorization connects it to a network of similar organizations worldwide that serve as dedicated engines of discovery, free from the divided focus that can characterize other institutional models.

## References

1. Google Knowledge Graph