National Conference on Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD)
First, the presenter, Sandy Heirbacher, Director of the NCDD, facilitated an initial ‘go-round of “who are you, what do you do and what experience do you have with dialogue as action?” Then she addressed four issues: 1) different methods of d&d – dialogue can be used to explore issues, transform conflict, make decisions and plan collaborative action. 2) tips and strategies for success, - make action a clear goal from the start, involve the right people (all the relevant stake holders), share ownership of the program, retain dialogue methods and principles even when moving into action and communicate with the group and within the local community 3) the importance of defining your own success and 4) possible action steps that can result from dialogue encounters can include personal action such as journaling or further reading, interpersonal action such as interrupting racial jokes, direct service such as tutoring, awareness building, expanding the dialogue program, prejudice reduction and relationship building, conflict resolution and prevention, community and capacity building such as voter registration drives, symbolic action, policy advocacy, involving politicians in the dialogue itself, institutional change providing services, institution building, and adding to the dialogue/action a mindfulness/contemplative process. Sandy then had to rush to catch a train. We hope she made it!
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