Dialogue on Difference or Difficult Topics - an opportunity to hear, share and understand the differences (DDDT)
We have held many Community Conversations that have opened dialogue on community issues that can be emotive and hard to talk about.
Here are a few examples:
Tamil Conversations (May 2009) - The impact of conflicts overseas on people here in London
In response to the distress experienced by many Newham Tamils at the deepening humanitarian emergency in Sri Lanka, we held a Community Conversation where our Tamil contacts and friends were able to share their distress with non-Tamils. So, rather than watching horrific videos, the non Tamils heard the personal impact of the crises on the Tamils and our facilitators were able to draw out the feelings, values and concerns of the speakers rather than their thoughts and views. This had a great impact on the non Tamils who were likewise able to share the impact of the crises on them and for their own feelings, values and concerns to be aired. The value of the format is that there is a discipline in each person having their turn, the focus is on impact not views and so it is not a debate but brings dialogue and reflection.
Participants felt supported - Kalam who remembered how “I felt that by you listening and getting your response that we are in this together… a sense of unity”.
And also motivated – Haloge noted how “as we moved on and looked at how we could help and how the Tamils could help themselves, there was a massive shift from despondency to hope and courage.” Likewise, Anju said “This meeting gave me more confidence to share with others what is happening”.
The value of such events is summed up by volunteer Facilitator Hanin, “By providing a secure and safe place, where people know that they will be heard and respected, different people will start opening up for each other and they are more likely to gain a deeper understanding of each other’s views and sights. You think afterwards “Was it magic?”, but it is of course not, it is just the right tools and skills to use in the right time, I am thrilled every time I seehow the energy gets transformed from anger, confusing, powerlessness and and disappointment to something different which leads to positive change.”
Read a review here.
Keeping things safe in Forest Gate - a response to violence (November 2009)
A Community Conversation was held in Forest Gate to offer local people concerned with recent violent attacks in the area a chance to come together to talk and find ideas towards ensuring a safer neighborhood. The event was initiated by our volunteer Khalid after a horrific attack on a shopkeeper that touched him and his family very personally. Khalid felt that it would be helpful for local people to have the opportunity to share their reactions and emotions in a Community Conversation and once he had the go-ahead he personally arranged the venue and publicity.
We ran two Conversations that brought together a diverse group of neighbours, most of whom had not met each other before. The shopkeeper next door to the attack also came along.
Here are some comments to the final go-round – “what I found valuable”: Kelvin – "lots of love for the local community", Muhammed – "it was helpful meeting people who care". Delores – "people took the time to come, this shows the community is worth saving". Muna, who had to leave early sent an email saying: ” I thought the way that Conflict and Change organized the session was good it, gave people the opportunity and the platform to voice and air their concerns, views and got feed back about it as well in terms of the emotions that people had felt to make more sense of it.” 
Click here to read more.
Community Talks Between Young and Old - Bridging age divides
In partnership with Green Street Community Lead Councillor, Cllr Sharaf Mahmood, Conflict & Change ran an event with faith and community leaders in the Harold Road area to bring dialogue and understanding between youth and older generations. This was a key issue of concern from his regular meetings with local leaders.
So, how could they have a meeting that was both fun and engaging, while at the same time have some depth and true dialogue across the generations? Answer: bring in a team of 8 Community Conversation facilitators from Conflict and Change! About 40 people attended from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds and the young people were mainly represented by a great bunch of young men from St Bonadventure School in Forest Gate from years 7, 8 and 10.
The conversation was structured to allow every participant time to express their concerns and experiences of what it is like being young or older. There was a lot of learning in the session summed up by Councillor Sharaf Mahmood; “I believe that the event was great and allowed barriers to be broken down with the older and younger generations. I believe it is key that grown ups and young people learn to understand one another so that they come to a realisation that they have shared norms and values that they should clebrate. I would like to build upon the excellent work done at the last event and continue to build bridges and break down barriers in our community.”
You can read more comments from the participants by clicking here.
