Fall 2008 Newsletter
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Greetings and welcome to the C2D2 Fall Newsletter! This newsletter brings word of new projects, job opportunities, resources, events and trainings in the D&D community. In this newsletter, we’re also premiering a special “Community Spotlight” section that describes an interesting D&D project in a bit more detail. A big thank you to everyone who submitted their events, trainings and news items! Newsletter Policy: We welcome stories about good dialogue and deliberation (D&D) practices, research or articles discussing D&D, profiles of interesting D&D projects, profiles of D&D organizations or leaders, non-partisan or multi-partisan public events related to D&D, and D&D training opportunities or job opportunities. If you would like to submit a short 1-2 paragraph item, or a longer feature story for our Winter 2009 newsletter, send us your submissions by December 15, 2008.Please include a 1-2 sentence summary statement along with a brief text with contact information and a web link. Send your submission to Amy Lang at:c2d2newsletter C2D2 Community Spotlight: Imagine Abbotsford Community Visioning Process
Since 2006, Abbotsford BC has been host to the Imagine Abbotsford series of dialogues supported by Simon Fraser University’s Imagine BChttp://www.sfu.ca/dialogue/imaginebc/ . Abbotsford is the fifth largest city in BC, and is nestled in the shadow of Mount Baker in Washington State and is in the heart of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia. One of the fastest growing cities in Canada for the last decade, Abbotsford is is hoping to retain its sense of community despite experiencing an economic boom and rapid growth. Imagine Abbotsford is a partnership of the Abbotsford Community Foundation, Fraser Valley Centre for Social Enterprise, United Way of the Fraser Valley, The Abbotsford News and other sponsors. The intention of the dialogue series is imagining Abbotsford 30 years from now. The focus changes yearly (with three dialogue sessions each year) with the range of topics noted below:
Each session of the dialogue series is reported in The Abbotsford News and circulated to 33,000 households:
In one session, a range of community thought leaders, the general public and policy makers, were invited to visualize and describe two possible futures 30 years from now; one of maintaining the status quo and two of an ideal and hopeful future. “The worst case emerges from the status quo; social decay; pollution; congestion; an unlivable city; a community of “have not’s”, because we have lost the resources and ability to sustain ourselves” (Participant, Imagine Abbotsford, Consensus Report, 2006). This strongly contrasted with the much brighter future and vision of Abbotsford “We have information, knowledge, and access to tools, resources and talents that are the envy of much of the rest of the world. The convergence of opportunities will never get better than it is now.” (Participant, Imagine Abbotsford, Consensus Report, 2006). The goal of Imagine Abbotsford (and Imagine BC) is to encourage connections and collaboration within the communities, which in turn help community members respond effectively to future challenges. As ideas are exchanged in open, informed, and respectful dialogue, understanding develops amongst diverse participants. It becomes possible to develop mutually compatible plans for regional economic growth, social development, and environmental protection. We believe that the ideas and exchanges arising from this process will help to improve the well-being of Abbotsford's future generations. BC Healthy Communities supports this initiative using an integral planning lenshttp://integrallife.com/files/articulate/what%20is%20integral/player.html . What has emerged from these dialogues is energy for following through, an analysis of the potential levers for change, an integral analysis of the outcomes and several grassroots community initiatives (Imagine in Action, Neighbourhood Associations, Fraser Valley Indicators Initiative etc.). BC Healthy Communities continues to support Imagine Abbotsford (as an active member of their Steering Committee and through previous financial support as a seed grant community) as they implement the dialogue sessions for the current year.http://www.bchealthycommunities.ca/content/home.asp If you have questions or comments about this innovative dialogue project, please contact Deirdre Goudriaan at BC Healthy Communities at 778-891-8948 orDeirdre Community News
Democratic Engagement May Be Included in Wellbeing Index The Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) is an innovative pan-Canadian initiative seeking to provide a composite measure of Canadian wellbeing based on measurements found within eight interrelated areas: Health Populations, Living Standards, Community Vitality, Time Use, Democratic Engagement, Educated Populace, Ecosystem Health and Arts and Culture and Recreation. Development of the CIW model has been guided by a team of national and internationally renowned experts and indicator practitioners, with advice and data sources from Statistics Canada. The CIW is funded through a Funders Alliance led by the Atkinson Charitable Foundation. Prairie Wild Consulting and HOLDEN & Associates are preparing a report to guide the CIW in creating a set of measurements for the Democratic Engagement Domain, which focuses on three interrelated themes: engagement of citizens in public life and in governance (individual democratic engagement), the functioning of Canadian governments with respect to openness, transparency, effectiveness, fairness, equitability and accessibility (government democratic engagement) and the role of Canadian citizens, civil society, our governments and corporations play as good global citizens (global democratic engagement). Launch and first report release of the CIW is scheduled for the spring of 2009. For more information and to follow further developments in the Democratic Engagement Domain and the CIW, visithttp://www.atkinsonfoundation.ca/ciw .
INM Will Host CIVICUS World Assemblies in 2009, 2010 and 2011in Montreal Quebec’s Institut du Nouveau Monde (INM) has been selected by the CIVICUS movement leaders to organize the World Alliance for Citizen Participation’s 9th, 10th and 11th world assemblies in Montreal. INM is a not for profit and non partisan organization whose mission is to promote citizen participation and the renewal of ideas in Quebec. CIVICUS is an international alliance of members and partners which constitute an influential network of organizations at the local, national, regional and international levels, and span the spectrum of civil society including: civil society networks and organizations; trade unions; faith-based networks; professional associations; NGO capacity development organizations; philanthropic foundations and other funding bodies; businesses; and social responsibility programs. CIVICUS has worked for over a decade to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world, especially in areas where participatory democracy and citizens' freedom of association are threatened. The CIVICUS World Assemblies have served as venues through which civil society organisations (CSOs) can articulate and exchange information about important victories they have achieved and critical issues they, and the societies in which they work, face. The CIVICUS World Assembly allows for dialogue that can lead to innovative collaboration across national borders and provides a platform for CSOs to interact and engage with interested parties from government and intergovernmental organisations and reflect on the state of civil society around the world. The last CIVICUS World Assemblies was held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 18-21 June 2008. The CIVICUS team and INM are currently working together to put together the program for the 9th World Assembly. To learn more and stay up to date on the plans for the Montréal World Assemblies, please visit: www.civicusmontreal.org .
New Team Members at Hardy Stevenson and Associates Hardy Stevenson and Associates, one of Canada’s premier public planning and consultation firms, has firm two new members whose experience in public consultation and engagement has helped to enhance a wide variety of projects throughout Canada and Internationally. Jennie Weller is HSAL’s Manager of Public Consultation and Communications. Jennie is an accomplished public consultation practitioner and environmental planner with a strong professional background in sustainable community development and public engagement. Jennie’s has a proven track record of effectively creating linkages between municipal departments, agencies, politicians, stakeholders and members of the public. Jennie’s previous experience, as a member of the Public Consultation Unit at the City of Toronto, has enabled her to develop a strong ability to effectively communicate with diverse multi-cultural and cross-cultural audiences. Jeffrey Holec is HSAL’s Director of Central Ontario. A senior public affairs and communications practitioner with experience gained at all levels of government, Jeffrey has worked closely with NGOs and a wide variety of public and private sector stakeholders. Jeffrey brings unique experience to HSAL having been a consultant, public sector employee and elected official. He is particularly adept at bringing disparate groups together by identifying common interests and goals and is able to bring his experience as Principal of a successful communications agency to projects requiring a strategic overview and careful planning. He is able to liaise between the public and private sectors to develop partnerships and to achieve goals. For more information about their staff or public consultation projects, please contact Jennie Weller at 416-944-8444, ext. 226. Or visit our web-site atwww.hardystevenson.com for more information. Job Opportunities
The Department of Communication Studies at Colorado State University is seeking an assistant professor who specializes in conflict management/dispute resolution. An entry-level, tenure-track, nine-month appointment starts August 15, 2009. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled; however, applicants should submit complete applications by October 15, 2008 for full consideration. The Department of Communication Studies at Colorado State University currently numbers around 500 undergraduate majors and 24 Master’s candidates and houses the Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation (www.cpd.colostate.edu). With the overall growth in the major and in the university, there has also been growth in diversity and multiculturalism. Candidates who can advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and multiculturalism through research, teaching, and outreach are encouraged to apply. Research & Resources“Community Conversations” Book a Great Resource for D&D Paul Born, President of Tamarack, an Institute for Community Engagement, has been busy over the past year or so writing a book on dialogue. Community Conversations has now been published and it is definitely worth a read. Paul situates community conversations at the heart of community building, which he believes is entering a new era. And do we now know this at C2D2. Community building according to Paul and the Canadian Community for Dialogue and Deliberation continues to require people from all sectors to come together as never before to work together to improve their and our collective quality of life. Newcomers to the field of dialogue as well as seasoned practitioners, students and decision- and policy-makers alike will enjoy this two-part, 200 page, easy-to-read, accessible book. In Part 1, there are plenty of stories and inspiring examples of collaboration and in Part 2, ten techniques to host conversations in your community. The book is useful to both communities of interest like C2D2 as well as place-based communities. Click here for more information: www.tamarackcommunity.ca .
New Discussion Forum for Peace Research and Education The Canadian Peace Research and Education Association has a 42-year history in advancing research and promoting education in the causes of war and the conditions of peace. They have just launched a new forum for discussion at:www.canadianpeaceresearchandeducation.com . Join in to share your research on peace and conflict resolution or your group's efforts in building a sustainable peace. New Book by Prof. Phil Neisser Makes the Case for More Disagreement Professor Phil Neisser, Chair of the Dept. of Politics at SUNY Potsdam has just published a book that will be of great interest to the D &D community. United We Fall: Ending America's Love Affair with the Political Center (Praeger, 2008) uses analysis of American history, group behavior, and political theory to make the case that what the United States and the world need is more disagreement rather than less. This means that ordinary political conversations, neighborhood encounters, and public debates need to include the “extreme” points of view that are often hidden on the sidelines, considered to be too “radical,” or dismissed as the work of “the enemy.” Learn more about the book at http://www.unitedwefall.info . Building Democracy Through Online Consultation Report Now Available A report entitled, "Building Democracy Through Online Citizen Consultation: A Framework for Action," has emerged from an Ohio State University conference of the same name. The document is intended as a brief practical guide to public officials who are wondering (a) what e-democracy is and (b) what sorts of issues need to be considered if an online consultation is to be staged successfully. Helpful nuggets in the report include Alexandra Samuel's hints for keeping online discussions on track and a summary of a discussion she led of how to plan such an initiative, Lars Hasselblad Torres's ideas for attracting and sustaining participation, Jerry Kosicki's thoughts on achieving a representative sample of citizen opinion, and a review of the respective pluses and minuses of online versus face-to-face consultation (although doing one does not exclude doing the other!). To get a copy of the report, go tohttp://moritzlaw.osu.edu/pldd/initiatives.php, and click the word "here" at the end of the paragraph entitled, "Building Democracy Through Online Citizen Consultation."
Everyday Democracy (formerly the Study Circles Resource Center) just launched a new feature on its website called the “Issue Guide Exchange” (www.everyday-democracy.org/exchange), a place where anyone can share, create and talk about discussion materials. We would like to encourage C2D2 to invite your networks to share their discussion guides on this website. People visiting the Issue Guide Exchange can upload their discussion guides, search for and review other guides and download and adapt existing guides. In the discussion forum, they can discuss guides or hold a dialogue. And in the step-by-step tutorial, they can create a new guide with how-to exercises, templates for different parts of a discussion guide, and a place to create and save your work, on-line, as you go. To get started, go to www.everyday-democracy.org/exchange. You'll need to register by creating a member profile. This should take just a few minutes. Once you're in the Issue Guide Exchange, click on "Upload Guide" in the main navigation to add whatever guides they'd like to share. Jason Diceman Publishes Article on Citizens’ Assemblies C2D2 Board member Jason Diceman just published an article on the Citizens’ Assembly model for citizen engagement in the online journal worldchanging.com. In this succinct account, Jason compares the Citizens’ Assembly model to other methods for engaging the public, and talks about some exciting public engagement initiatives that are building on lessons from the Canadian Citizens’ Assemblies. Read all about it at http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/008504.html. Events
Last Chance to Register for NCDD Austin The National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) conference is just around the corner on October 3-5 in Austin, Texas. NCDD members who have paid their $50 membership fee only have to pay $325 (get your discount code fromjoy The conference will be focusing in on 5 major challenges in the D&D field. Participants at previous National Conferences on Dialogue & Deliberation identified a number of issues that our field needs to conquer if we are to have the impact we’d like to have on our communities and in our world. At our fourth NCDD conference in Austin, we plan to address these five challenge areas: 1. Making D&D Integral to our Systems 2. Walking Our Talk in Terms of Bias and Inclusion 3. Framing this Work in an Accessible Way 4. D&D to Action and Policy Change 5. Demonstrating that D&D Works All conference participants will have the opportunity to focus some of their time and attention at NCDD Austin on these challenges if they choose to. Visitwww.thataway.org/events/?p=159 if you want to read more about how they’ll be addressing the 5 challenges. Save the Date: International Association of Facilitators 2009 Global Conference Coming to Vancouver The International Association of Facilitators (IAF) is having its next global conference in North America in Vancouver BC, April 20-25, 2009 on the topic of "The Art and Mastery of Facilitation: Exploring Diversity". It contains a 2-day certification (CPF) event, 2 days of highly interactive and educational conference sessions, and 2 days of training selected by the conference programming team. This event is affordable, valuable, and on-target for anyone interested in dialogue and deliberation. For more information, contact jbutcher Training Opportunities
Open Space Training in New York, NY Open Space is a method for convening people that is used internationally for strategic planning, knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary thinking and understanding across differences. Open Space gives people a full-systems understanding of a topic, issue or situation. One facilitator can convene 10 to 2000+ participants in this dynamic, participant-generated process used in over 130 countries. Join Lisa Heft and colleagues from Columbia University’s Center for International Conflict Resolution for this dynamic workshop to share learning about this method. All experience levels welcome; pricing is flexible. For more information and to register for the workshop, contact Ms. Heft at – lisaheft
The Masterful Facilitation Institute programs build confidence and skill at designing and facilitating successful meetings, retreats, and sessions. They’re holding several programs this fall: 1. Through "The Confident Facilitator", participants gain a practical foundation in essential facilitation theory, and skills. October 6-8, 2008 (Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University) 2. Through "The Inspired Facilitator", participants take a deeper dive into the principles, theories, and processes for understanding, designing, and facilitating in, complex dynamics and situations. (Early Bird date is September 15, 2008. October 27-29, 2008; Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University) 3. Through "Facilitating Wise Action for Lasting Impact", learn how to design, blend and facilitate conversational methods like World Café, Open Space, Dialogue, Appreciative Inquiry, Deliberative Dialogue, for breakthrough thinking, decision-making and collaboration. (Early Bird date is December 15, 2008. January 18-21, 2009; in-house residential at Rivendell Retreat Centre on Bowen Island, BC) To learn more about how to create great meetings, great outcomes, and great interactions, visit Masterful Facilitation Institute: Becoming An Inspired Facilitator for more information or to register for these programs, or contact Myriam Laberge directly at 604-943-9133.
This fall Maureen Fitzgerald is offering her two-day Corporate Circles workshop in Calgary on October 16-17 and Vancouver on November 13-14. Participants will learn how to transform, not just resolve conflict using restorative circle practices. In a Corporate Circle a group comes together in a confidential and candid conversation over a few hours. Individuals are able to share their own and appreciate others’ perspectives, overcome negative feelings, and move toward a more positive future.
If you are interested in building a network of trust-based stakeholder relationships, and are looking for new ways to engage stakeholders to resolve complex issues, these workshops may be for you. They’re holding workshops titled “How to Communicate, Consult, Collaborate and Co-Create in a Networked World” in Vancouver and Toronto this fall: October 16-17, 2008 Simon Fraser University, Downtown Vancouver For more details see www.sfu.ca/cscd/cli/executive_programs.htm
Respected IAF members and internationally-recognized facilitators Dorothy Strachan and Sandy Schuman will be leading their two-day workshop in Halifax (November 3-4), Ottawa (November 6-7), Kitchener-Waterloo (November 17-18), and Toronto (November 20-21). Clicking on this link www.goldenplanners.ca/IAF will take you to a detailed description of the workshop and its leaders, as well as to the registration page. IAF Member Early Bird registration is $595.00 (plus tax), and runs until September 30. Included in the registration fee will be copies of Dorothy's book "Making Questions Work" and Sandy's "IAF Handbook of Group Facilitation", as well as two continental breakfasts, two lunches, refreshment breaks, and all of the other workshop materials. Nonviolent Communication Workshops Coming Up in Ontario and BC Nonviolent Communication has received recognition worldwide for its effectiveness. As a powerful process for human dialogue, it identifies the root causes of conflict and provides practical tools to help transform even the most difficult interactions into productive experiences. To learn more and register for upcoming workshops in Ontario (Sept 26-28) and BC (Nov 3 & Dec 1) with certified trainer Rachelle Lamb, visit Save the Date: Authentic Leadership in Action at the Shambhala Institute, June 21-27, 2009 IAP2 & Dialogue Partners Inc. Training Opportunity The Canadian Trainers Collective in collaboration with Dialogue Partners (DP) is pleased to offer both the IAP2 Certificate Training and the Dialogue Partners courses in various locations across Canada in 2008. Some up-coming training courses include: Niagara Region, ON IAP2 - Planning for Effective Public Participation October 20th & 21st, 2008 Calgary, AB DP - Calming Conflict and Controversy in Public Involvement October 20th, 2008 Vancouver, BC IAP2 - Planning for Effective Public Participation November 17th & 18th, 2008 Calgary, AB DP - Group Facilitation Skills for Public Involvement December 8th & 9th, 2008 For more information please either visit www.dialoguepartners.ca or www.iap2.organd follow the links, OR, contact the Canadian Trainers Collective atcdntrainerscollective |
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