Maria Bernal-Dobek Professional Development Day February 19, 2010 The Importance of Honest & Authentic Dialogue in a Diverse Society

What is Intergroup Dialogue? Face-to-face meetings between members of two or more social groups that have a history of conflict or potential conflict. The groups are broadly defined by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, socioeconomic class, and other social group identities.

What is Intergroup Dialogue? A semi-structured process in which participants explore: Commonalities and differences within and between groups Intergroup conflicts Possibilities for alliance and coalition building Dialogues are sustained over an extended period of time. Research supports 7-14 week sessions They are co-facilitated by individuals who are specifically trained in dialogue methodology.

A Peek into an Intergroup Dialogue “What’s Race Got to Do with It?” University of California, Berkley (2006) 15-Week Dialogue Program Multiple Identities Represented

Social Identity Activity Establishing Ground Rules for Dialogue Safety & Confidentiality Comfort Learning Edge Conflict Social Identity Profile Dialogue in small groups Remember the ground rules set at the beginning of dialogue

Why is dialogue important? Increased awareness and understanding of both racial and gender inequalities and their structural causes Increased motivation to bridge differences Increased empathy Nagda, B.A., Gurin, P., Sorenson, N., & Zúñiga, X. (2009). Evaluation intergroup dialogue: Engaging diversity of personal and social responsibility. Diversity and Democracy, 12(1), 4-6.

Why is dialogue important? Increased motivation to be actively engaged in post ‐ college communities by “influencing social policy,” “influencing the political structure through voting and educational campaigns,” and “working to correct social and economic inequalities” Increased sense of responsibility for participating in coalitions to challenge discrimination, promote diversity, and address social issues Nagda, B.A., Gurin, P., Sorenson, N., & Zúñiga, X. (2009). Evaluation intergroup dialogue: Engaging diversity of personal and social responsibility. Diversity and Democracy, 12(1), 4-6.

Intergroup Dialogue Professional Development (IDPD) The Intergroup Dialogue Experience (IDE) Our Facilitators The Intergroup Relations Institute at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Thursday, March 18 th Friday, March 19 th Dr. Charles Behling PhD in Psychology Former Co-Director of the Intergroup Relations Institute Dr. Jennifer Yim PhD in Psychology & Women’s Studies Director of the Global Scholar’s Program Intergroup Dialogue Facilitator Training (IDFT) Friday, April 9 th Saturday, April 10th

Information and Questions The Program of Intergroup Relations at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: Contact Maria Bernal-Dobek: Thank You!