Time for Peace is beginning a series of dialogues to encourage people on opposing sides of the Iraq war issue to communicate respectfully.

Ramsey Tesdell, a member of Time for Peace who is on the steering committee of the dialogue sessions, said the group thinks misunderstandings arise due to a lack of dialogue.

“[Sunday Evening Exchange] will create an opportunity for students and members of this community to exchange ideas and talk about feelings,” he said.

Tesdell, sophomore in technical communication, said Sunday Evening Exchange has a diverse group of speakers lined up, including a musical guest, professors of religion and sociology, and a former war and combat photographer.

Nate Emsick, graduate in mechanical engineering and a musical guest, said he respects the views of the group.

“Time for Peace does a very good job of getting their message across in a way that people who don’t agree at least respect what they say,” he said.

Another future speaker, Kevin Rahner, recently returned from working in Iraq as a reserve of the Iowa National Guard, he said.

“[Rahner] saw some things that more people can know about,” Tesdell said.

Sunday Evening Exchange will allow people to ask Rahner questions and get a personal view of what happened in Iraq, he said.

“People on opposite sides of the political spectrum never have opportunity to hear the other side,” Tesdell said. “[They] don’t realize the other side is another person.”

Time for Peace has been hosting vigils every Sunday night since Sept. 11, 2001, said Roya Ijadi-Maghsoodi, member of Time for Peace and junior in biology.

“There’s no great point protesting war on the sidewalk,” Ijadi-Maghsoodi said. “So many things have happened since the outbreak of the war. People have issues to discuss and they should come together and talk instead of standing on the street holding a sign.”

Sunday Evening Exchange will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sundays in the Gold Room of the Memorial Union.

“People have a lot of questions, opinions and ideas,” Tesdell said. “[Sunday Evening Exchange] will be a great place to share them and hear other’s viewpoints.”