Using Dialogue to Build Understanding and Support for Refugees - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Using Dialogue to Build Understanding and Support for Refugees Fostering Community Engagement and Welcoming Communities is supported by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR/ACF/DHHS)

Outcomes for Today’s Webinar  Learn what dialogue is and how it might be useful in your work  Access tools on how to plan and organize community dialogues  Get tips on facilitating dialogues

Agenda 1. Background on Dialogue Jessy Molina, Welcoming America 2. Planning and Preparation Mahvash Hassan, Institute for Local Government 3. Session Design and Facilitation Maggie Herzig, Public Conversations Project 4. Ways You Can Stay Engaged on this Issue

1. Background on Dialogue What is a Dialogue? A conversation in which people who have different views on a topic explore their perspectives in an effort to build mutual understanding and connection

Common Dialogue Features  Share experiences, values and concerns  Appreciate new ideas or viewpoints  Engage meaningfully in differences of opinion  Build empathy, connection, and community

Dialogue vs. Debate Dialogue is collaborative: two or more sides work together toward common understanding. Debate is oppositional: two sides oppose each other and attempt to prove each other wrong.

Dialogue vs. Debate (Continued) Dialogues emphasize Debates emphasize Listening to understand Listening to find flaws and counter arguments Reveals assumptions for re-evaluation Defends assumptions as truth Encourages introspection on one’s own Causes critique of the other position position

Participant Experiences  "I went into the conversation with the preconceived notion that immigrants are lazy and don't pay taxes. My mind was completely changed with my OWN opinions. I thought that this discussion was amazing. I enjoyed listening to my classmates who had opinions and experiences with immigrants. It helped me find what I believe."  "We are all joined together. I learned that even though immigration doesn't affect me in the same way as others, it still affects me because I am human."  "To see someone you see every day and to put their name and face to the issue, it changed everything for me. It just humbles me. "  "I really connected with the people in my class and I will always stand up for them."

2. Planning and Organizing Dialogues Be clear about the purpose:  To build mutual understanding and connection NOT:  To change minds, though people’s perspectives might be broadened  To advocate for a policy: advocacy and dialogue are two different, valuable tools of democrac y

What Dialogue Might Look Like Process Criteria:  Match process to purpose identified  Meet expected participants where they are Options:  Community dialogue  Film with dialogue/discussion  Panel with dialogue/discussion  Potluck – with dialogue at small tables

Who is the audience? Generally, it will be members of the receiving community and refugees. Goals for recruitment:  Strive for diversity  Be strategic with invitations  Understand the context of the group or community

Planning to Support Purpose Model Collaboration  Collaborative planning - trusted/credible refugee and receiving community members  During and following actual dialogue event Build/Earn Trust  Consider safe and accessible venues  Co-facilitator teams - refugee and receiving community Reduce Anxiety  Emotional readiness of facilitators

Preparing the Participants Invitation  Connect the dialogue to what matters to participants  Consider who should issue invite  Assure them that it’s not a debate Planning  Check-in pre-dialogue to ensure structure meets their hopes and expectations  Consider intra-group dialogue to prepare to participate in the dialogue  Be prepared for the dialogues to bring up emotions

Key Roles  Host/Convener(s)  Facilitator(s)  Planning Team  Participants

3. Session Design and Facilitation  Welcome  Orientation and Agreements  Introductions  Structured Questions  Less Structured Conversation  Closing

Small Group Break-outs  Begin in plenary for orientation, agreements, etc.  Break into diverse groups of 6-8 (maximum of 10)  Return to plenary to hear reflections from individuals who wish to share something or (usually less engaging) have small groups designate a reporter

Communication Agreements  Offer a proposed set  Invite questions, additions, etc.  Seek agreement

Sample Agreements  We’ll speak in a respectful manner, avoiding a critical tone, and listen with resilience.  We’ll speak for ourselves and not expect anyone to represent or defend an entire group.  We’ll share airtime and not interrupt others.  If someone is not ready or willing to answer a question, we’ll accept a “pass” or “pass for now.”

Opening Questions Good opening questions typically  invite personal speaking about experiences, meanings, values, etc.  encourage reflection  elicit fresh information that stimulates genuine interest in others and challenges simple stereotypes  can be answered by all participants in a manner that supports the purposes of the dialogue

Sample Questions  Can you name something in your current life that gives you a positive feeling of connection to your past? A sight, a sound, a smell, a treasured object? Please share what makes it meaningful for you.  Is there a story you can tell about your life experience that might help others understand what it means to you to be living in the US – what you most appreciate and what you find hard?

Structures for Speaking and Listening  Go- rounds and “popcorn”  THINK  WRITE  SPEAK  Participants ask each other questions (genuine questions, not rhetorical ones)  Notice themes, what was moving, surprising, etc  Open discussion

The Role of the Facilitator  Create a safe and welcoming environment  Help people stay on task and on time; revise plan as appropriate  Guard against domination; welcome all voices  Remind participants about agreements as necessary It is not to:  Be a content expert  Be the center of attention  Influence  Participate

Time Management  Be realistic about time when planning the session.  Be clear about expectations and limits. Examples:  Please think about the question for a couple minutes. Then, when we go around, I’ll ask you to take up to 2 minutes to respond.  We just have about 10 minutes for this go-round so please just say a few sentences.  Model brevity.  Use 3x5 cards when asking for especially succinct contributions  If you have a co-facilitator take turns tracking time.

Debrief  What went well or not so well?  What would you do differently next time?  What did you like (or not) about how you played your role?  What did you most admire about others’ contributions?  Possible next steps?

Moderated Discussion Type in your questions and comments in the Q and A box

4. Staying Engaged www.welcomingamerica.org

Additional Resources  Cities of Migration’s Dialogue Circles: Building Intercultural Understanding between Immigrant and Indigenous Communities Webinar at 7:00 p.m. EST  Speakers will discuss initiatives in New Zealand and Canada that are bringing new immigrant and indigenous communities together for intercultural learning and meaningful exchange as an essential part of newcomer settlement and welcome.  Visit http://wellingtonvancouver.eventbrite.com/ to register

Additional Resources (Continued)  Community Conversations Adult and Young Adult Toolkits - http://www.nyhumanities.org/discussion_groups/co mmunity_conversations/immigration.php

Today’s Presenters Maggie Herzig, Public Conversations Project www.publicconversations.org mherzig@publicconversations.org Mahvash Hassan, Institute for Local Government www.ca-ilg.org mhassan@ca-ilg.org Jessy Molina, Welcoming America www.welcomingamerica.org jessy@welcomingamerica.org

Announcing the Dialogue Learning Circle Who: People interested in using conversation as a tool to build understanding and support for refugees What: An opportunity to connect with a peer network When: Quarterly Where: Conference calls Why: To develop greater expertise around the use of dialogue and support each other’s efforts.

How to Join the Learning Circle Send us an email with the following: 1. The geographic reach of your work 2. Why you would like to join 3. Dialogue topics of most interest. hannah@welcomingamerica.org Deadline: July 10, 2013