Dialogue: A Virtual Workshop is a series of 12 videos sharing the basics of the Essential Partners (formerly Public Conversations Project) approach to dialogue. This video series was made possible by generous funding from the JAMS Foundation, whose mission is to encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), support education at all levels about collaborative processes for resolving differences, promote innovation in conflict resolution, and advance the settlement of conflict worldwide.
Essential Partners’ work draws on family therapy and several other disciplines as well as more than 25 years of experience using dialogue as a tool to transform conflict and rebuild damaged communities. This series talks about the nature of conflict and the power of dialogue to shift destructive patterns, while outlining the process of building a dialogue. From understanding the importance of participant preparation to developing the right questions to ask in a dialogue, these videos illustrate our approach—and the principles behind it.
Each video is accompanied by a set of summaries, exercises and discussion questions to make it a more effective teaching tool. These materials will be especially valuable to those using the videos in a group or class setting.