What is dialogue? The features of good conversations

Dimapur, Nov. 17 (EMN): Dialogue is not mere exchange of opinions, or analysing issues or to win arguments but a process where one listens and sees the opinions of the other party. This was one of the various aspects of interpersonal skill training that a peace-advocating group taught community members in Peren. Members of the Peren Town People’s Forum were given training in dialogue for peace building, by Peace Channel on November 12 at the Peren Town Baptist Church. The organisers issued a press release informing about the programme. District coordinator of the Peace Channel Rosa Angami was the resource person for the training programme. The programme had group activities that taught conflict resolution too. “Peace is not just the absence of conflict and violence but peace is the ability to manage and resolve conflict without violence where each individual can work together to improve the quality of their lives. Peace is a societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence,” the organisers said. Angami began the session by asking the participants to share their understanding of the term ‘dialogue.’ There were various answers: Some said it is dialogue and negotiation, some communication, some opinions. Angami said dialogue is the basic process for building common understanding by letting go of the differences and misunderstanding. “Dialogue is focused and intended conversation, a space for civility and equality in which those who differ may speak and listen to each other. Dialogue is conducted not just to analyze things or to win over an arguments but is it rather to suspend one’s opinion and to look, listen and see the opinions of others,” she said. The participants were told that dialogue is an inclusive approach where each person participates in the process and way of opening up judgments and assumptions. Paraphrasing, summarising, reframing, and critical thinking are some important skills that a facilitator should have to conduct a dialogue, the updates stated. The resource person mentioned also that dialogue is letting go of disagreements and by doing so, a group gradually builds a shared set of meaning that makes higher level of mutual understanding and creative thinking possible. “As we listen to one another, we begin to see how others think and express meanings. The more the group conducts dialogue and achieve collective understanding, the easier it becomes for the groups to reach a decision, and the more likely it is that the decision will be implemented in the way the group members meant it to be, said the resource person,” the participants stated.