Community Dialogue

Our Approach

Community Dialogue Fellows are changing the world, one conversation at a time.

In partnership with Essential Partners and Interfaith Photovoice, DSC hosts the Community Dialogue Fellowship. This is a unique program in which fellows learn three different types of dialogue processes: reflective structured dialogue, photovoice, and listening circles.

Each modality can be facilitated on its own or in combination to cultivate connecting spaces where people can discuss important values, offer stories, and connect despite differences. Sometimes a very structured conversation is needed, sometimes people talk more easily when they can share photos of what is important to them, and sometimes being in a circle and committing to listening is just what’s needed.

The program

Rather than relying on a thin, idealized hope that we will all one day just get along, we can approach conflict resolution as an art form that we are privileged to develop and hone.

 Diane Musho Hamilton

Program structure

The Fellow’s facilitation skills are supported through having an assigned mentor, connecting to other fellows through monthly meetings, and the availability of small stipends to offset costs associated with facilitation of community dialogues. Because the cohorts train together and continue ongoing professional learning with each other, they are available not only to offer opportunities for dialogue within their organizations, they also reach out to one another to co-facilitate processes for the community at large.

We need to know that there are people we trust to hold these spaces.

Having a diverse set of trained facilitators available from the community when difficult things need to be talked about is vital. We need to know that there are people we trust to hold these spaces.

Recent Dialogues

Some examples of recent dialogues the Fellows have facilitated are police/immigrant, Israeli/Palestinian, climate change, equity in the workplace, disaster support, and political division between young adults.

Please reach out if your group or organization needs a facilitated space to talk about values or connect across differences.

Interested in learning more or applying to be a Fellow?

Contact Laura.

Connect with us!

We regularly host community listening circles, webinars, and workshops and we’d love you to join us.