This is the P2PU Archive. If you want the current site, go to www.p2pu.org!
Conflict Resolution
My recent threads
You haven't posted any discussions yet.
Recently updated threads
- Notification of research observation Tue, 2011-04-05 23:19
- Week 8: Multi-Track Diplomacy Mon, 2011-03-21 03:19
- Week 7: Ethics Sun, 2011-03-13 23:39
- Week 5: Facilitated Dialogue & Appreciative Inquiry Wed, 2011-03-09 21:50
- Week 4: Mediation Wed, 2011-03-09 21:14
Week 5: Facilitated Dialogue & Appreciative Inquiry
For Week 5, we are exploring the techniques of facilitated dialogue and appreciative inquiry (AI). Readings include "Facilitated Listening: Introduction" and "What is Appreciative Inquiry?"
The following discussion questions are meant to encourage the exchange of ideas and deeper comprehension of the readings. Feel free to respond to them in your chat groups, on your own, or in response to this thread.
-In the reading on facilitated listening, the author writes that this form of communication is "heart-centered." What does this mean? How does this make facilitated discussions different from other forms of small-group interaction?
-If the purpose of facilitated dialogue is not to find a solution to a problem, what is its purpose? How does this help to alleviate situations of conflict?
-What are the benefits of appreciative inquiry (AI)? What are the disadvantages?
-Do you think AI is a helpful technique? In what cases would it be useful? In what cases would it be ineffective?
The structure offers participants to share their thoughts and feelings. The focus is not on facts or solution.
The focus is on opening up and let participants to know each other better at a personal level. Conflicts are between human beings. A lot of times when participants get to know why the others act the way they do, dialogues open up. Once people start talking, there is an opportunity to resolve the conflict in a peaceful way. It’s easier to bomb someone thousands of miles high in the air than killing someone at point blank range.
I can see how this can work. The challenge is to bring the parties together, agree on the process and start the session together.
AI seeks to work with “a whole people” and “what the massive entirety of what people talk about”. AI deals at a grand level that other techniques we have discussed so far do not. If it works, it is another tool in our tool kit in resolving grand scale conflicts.
I must admit that this was a new one for me. Often what we say or do comes from the mind, and our egos. When we communicate in a manner that is heart centered, we are not thinking just of our own needs and wants. It seems to be an extension of non violent communication. Oftentimes in conflict the real issues are clouded by our wants and desires and especially our pride. When you speak and listen with an open heart, the mind then opens up.
Not to be sexist at all, but I can see why certain men may have difficulties with this one. From birth men are taught to be tough, be strong, don't cry, show no emotion etc.
One of the benefits is that it helps to remind us all we're all human, and at the end of the day we have the same wants and needs. When you treat others with compassion and respect you get the same in return. A whole new world opens up for you.