PDAC
Dialogue
Circles
Build Bridges
Bridge Understanding
Build Unity
PDAC Dialogue
CirclesResearch Based:
1. Increase the flow of information between
decision makers and the public:
2. Improve the relationships among schools,
communities and policymakers,
3. Facilitate greater civic participation in
education issues.
Calling the Roll: Study Circles for Better Schools, Southwest Educational Development Laboratory,
Policy Research Report (2000)
.
involve everyone. Demonstrate that the whole community is
welcome and needed.
embrace diversity. Reach out to all kinds of people.
share knowledge, resources, power, and decision making.
combine dialogue and deliberation. Create public talk that
builds understanding and explores a range of solutions.
connect deliberative dialogue to social, political, and policy
change.
Dialogue circles are based on the
following principles...
.
is a small, diverse group of 8 to 12 people.
meets together for several, two-hour sessions.
sets its own ground rules. This helps the group share
responsibility for the quality of the discussion.
is led by an impartial facilitator who helps manage the
discussion. He or she is not there to teach the group
about the issue.
A traditional Dialgue
Circle …
Café Guidelines:Clarify Purpose
Create a Hospitable Space
Four or five people at each table
Progressive (usually 3 rounds)
Write, doodle and draw key ideas on their
tablecloths
Whole group conversation –Town hall style
Cross Pollination
The opportunity to move between tables, meet
new people, actively contribute your thinking, and
link the essence of your discoveries to ever-
widening circles of thought is one of the
distinguishing characteristics of the Café. As
participants carry key ideas or themes to new
tables, they exchange perspectives, greatly
enriching the possibility for surprising new
insights.
PDAC Dialogue
Circles ARE NOT:
conflict resolution
mediation
focus groups
traditional education
facilitated meetings with a predetermined agenda
town meetings
public hearings
debates
A Dialogue Circle Is
Facilitated, small dialogue group that
promotes the Exchange of:
•Ideas
•Experiences
•Perceptions
•Observations
A Dialogue Circle Is
Welcoming:
Many Points of View
Shared Concern
A Dialogue Circle
Includes people from all walks of life.
In A Dialogue Circle
Each Individual
Needs To:
Reflect on key themes and
Look for common ground
.
A Dialogue Circle is
Intended to move
a community to
action when the
dialogue circles
end.
.