Groningen, Netherlands

Developing Across Differences: (De)Polarising Dialogue

In the workplace, classroom and on our streets, everyday interactions increasingly provoke angry divisiveness. Red lines are drawn and redrawn between “Them” and “Us”, making civil discussion and respectful disagreements seemingly a thing of the past.

Whether about the pandemic and self-expression, political disagreements, freedom of expression versus hurtful rhetoric, or otherwise, this course addresses the real-life issue of divisive rhetoric and polarized encounters in Europe and beyond—and shows you how to use theory-based, real world-tested practical strategies to overcome these and have constructive interactions.

Course leader

Dr. Maja Nenadović

Target group

This course is for you if are a consultant/trainer/multiplier/educator with 5 or more years of experience in the greater Differences field who:

- Have meetings/lessons/agendas that are ‘hijacked’ by stakeholders with extreme views;
- Experience increasingly heated and uncivil disagreements among colleagues, whether around Covid-19 health measures, current events, or otherwise;
- Are holding back from authentic engagement due to anticipated/actual discriminatory and hate speech remarks…or the fear of inadvertently giving offense.

Course aim

After this course you —and those you work with— will be able to:

1. Immediately “dial down” the temperature in tense and intense verbal encounters
2. Diagnose communication problems in real-time
3. Engage in ‘on the spot’ strategic planning to transform communication and improve engagement
4. Implement appropriate strategies for engaging in dialogue with those with (extremely) differing views and making oneself heard
5. Respond to discriminatory remarks and/or hate speech with integrity and civility

Fee info

EUR 990: includes course and materials, optional evening programming