Training in Public Dialogue

A public dialogue is a facilitated dialogue for the public about a topic of public interest. This form of dialogue can be open gatherings for anyone who wants to attend, or closed dialogue meetings for invited parts of a community or group. This approach is particularly useful for addressing sensitive, conflicted, or controversial topics. In a public dialogue, participants have space to share their personal stories and thoughts, and perhaps build trust and better understanding across differences.

Public dialogues can contribute to:

• Build and strengthen relationships within communities
• Counter polarization and tensions
• Ensure inclusive processes and decision-making
• Create a safe space for conversations about difficult topics
• Empower minority voices and people of any background
• Societal development and democratic participation
• Have important conversations connected to happenings, events, and incidents in a community

Learning outcomes

This training emphasizes insights and practical knowledge about the public dialogue approach as well as how to facilitate such dialogues. Facilitation is about creating a safe space so that the participants in a dialogue can share openly and honestly. During this training, participants will practice the tools a facilitator has to their disposal to create this atmosphere.

In addition, you will learn about the various steps of how to plan and organize public dialogues. Together, this training will give you all that you need to facilitate inclusive conversations on various topics.

Who is it suitable for?

This course is suitable for anyone who wants to organize inclusive and dialogical conversations – in a neighborhood, at the workplace, or to highlight important conversations in local communities.

* Some experience in dialogue work or previous participation in the introductory course “Dialogue in Conflict” is an advantage, but not a requirement to participate.

Read more about our dialogue approach.

Course Content

MAIN COMPONENTS

1.Dialogue and Facilitation

• Dialogue as a method, perspective, and approach
• Thematic dialogues and public dialogues
• Different forms of public dialogue
• Introduction to the role of the facilitators and their responsibilities
• Practical exercise in facilitating public dialogues

2. Active Listening and Asking Good Questions

• Practice and insight into active listening
• How listening affects us
• The art of asking opening and follow-up questions

3. Creating a Safe Space

• What is a safe and dialogical space?
• How to create a safe space
• Exercise in trust-building

4. Organizing Public Dialogue

• Steps in the planning process
• Logistical implementation
• The possibilities and limitations of public dialogues