The Little Book of Dialogue for Difficult Subjects: A Practical Hands-on Guide (The Little Books of Justice and Peacebuilding)

"The word 'dialogue' suffers from over-use, yet its practice is as transforming and as freshly hopeful as ever. Authors Schirch and Campt demonstrate dialogue's life and possibilities in this clear and absorbing manual: 'Dialogue allows people in conflict to listen to each other, affirm their common ground, and explore their differences in a safe environment.' Schirch has worked throughout the Southern hemisphere in peacebuilding projects. Campt has focused on racial and class reconciliation in American cities."--Provided by publisher Who can't recall an uncomfortable moment at a holiday gathering when conversation turned divisively to religion, politics, or current events? Or a time in a public meeting when tensions boiled over among attendees? Authors Schirch and Campt present a transforming and freshly hopeful approach to handling tension-filled topics using principles of dialogue. For conversations around the table, in the boardroom, within the community, or across the globe, "Dialogue allows people in conflict to listen to each other, affirm their common ground, and explore their differences in a safe environment." This Little Book Covers: * Dialogue vs. debate * Inviting people to a dialogue process * Key dialogue facilitation skills * When to use dialogue * Moving from dialogue to action * Assessing dialogue effectiveness Schirch has worked on conflict prevention and peace-building projects in more than 20 countries. Campt has focused on racial reconciliation and large-scale dialogue events in American cities. Many of the skills and the case studies they offer in this book come from their own wide experiences. "Here is a process for talking about tension-filled topics. Useful for families, small groups, businesses, and private and governmental organizations, now, more than ever, because we are divided by political party, race, religion, and region, dialogue is an essential tool. The word "dialogue" suffers from over-use, yet its practice is as transforming and as freshly hopeful as ever. Authors Schirch and Campt demonstrate dialogue's life and possibilities in this clear and absorbing manual: "Dialogue allows people in conflict to listen to each other, affirm their common ground, and explore their differences in a safe environment." Chapters include: Defending Dialogue, Organizing a Dialogue Process, Moving from Dialogue to Action, Assessing Dialogue Effectiveness and more." -- publisher's website Defining Dialogue -- How Does Dialogue Work? -- When Is Dialogue Useful? -- Organizing A Dialogue -- Designing A Dialogue -- Facilitating A Dialogue -- Moving From Dialogue To Action -- Assessing Dialogue Effectiveness -- Dialogue For A New Century. Lisa Schirch And David Campt. Includes Bibliographical References.