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2011 RCP Conference

Dialogue Guidelines and Panel Descriptions

3rd Annual International Conference on
Religion, Conflict, and Peace:
Walking The Talk To Compassion And Harmony

April 8-10, 2011 ~ Dearborn, Michigan USA

Site:  Henry Ford Community College

Official Partner and Event of:
the Charter for Compassion
and
the Parliament of World Religions

* Please see below for
Conference Guidelines
For Compassionate Dialogue

Description of Intent and Format of Facilitated Dialogue Groups and Panels:

1) Facilitated Dialogue Groups:
These are concurrent groups that all participants take part in, are typically 60 - 80 minutes in length, and occur each day):
The dialogue groups are seen as the engines of the conference. Content from keynotes, workshops, and panels provide stimulus and focus for these dialogues woven throughout the days of the program. They are intended for processing the conference experience and issues addressed, exploring issues not raised in the prepared program, brainstorming practical applications, and networking for important collaboration building beyond the conference.
Scribes are assigned to each group to record content highlights for later compiling and posting on the conference website and in hard-copy, allowing participants an evolving overview of what is brewing in the community. This information is also included in conference proceedings and outcomes, and utilized for future planning of the RCP Conference.

2) Panels:
In keeping with the character of the conference, panels are encouraged to be more of an interactive dialogue between members - rather than a series of mini-presentations, and at some point to include the full audience for a significant portion of the session to promote a wider, more inclusive, and more fruitful discussion on the topic.
This entire process is guided and facilitated by moderator(s) to ensure opportunities for multiple voices, the focus is maintained, and to keep things on track in terms of time.

 Guidelines For Compassionate Dialogue

The RCP Conference strives to promote an inclusive, compassionate dialogue that honors different personal experiences, perspectives, and narratives, while allowing for better expressing and listening to each other as we work together toward understanding and harmony. Our intention is to create an open venue where we can engage meaningfully and invite in a public dialogue that brings our joint wisdom to bear in exploring sometimes difficult issues that effect us all. This is based on the premise that it does not require that we be the same to be appreciate of, at peace with, and secure in our relationships with each other; only that we be familiar enough with each others story to share the humanity and trustworthiness that resides in each of us.
We ask all participants to assist us by carrying and expressing this intent throughout the conference.

NonViolent Communication Guidelines (Adapted from Marshall Rosenberg):

Unique Assumptions—NVC begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature and that violent strategies—whether verbal or physical—are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing culture. It also assumes that we all share the same, basic human needs, and that all actions are a strategy to meet one or more of these needs.

While NVC is much more than a communication model, the components below provide a structural concept of the process that leads to giving and receiving from the heart.

Honestly Expressing how I am and what I would like without using blame, criticism or demands

Empathically Receiving how another is and what he/she would like without hearing blame, criticism or demands  

Whether expressing or receiving, NVC focuses our attention on four pieces of information:

1) Observations —Objectively describing what is going on without using evaluation, moralistic judgment, interpretation or diagnosis
2) Feelings —Saying how you feel (emotions and body sensations) about what you have observed without assigning blame
3) Needs —The basic human needs that are or not being met and are the source of feelings
4) Requests —Clear request for actions that can meet needs