The Dialogue Lab: Social Issue Facilitation Framework
Facilitating conversations on systemic social issues requires more than a list of questions; it requires a "container" that can hold tension without breaking. This framework moves groups away from binary 'win-lose' debates and toward a structural understanding of shared challenges.
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Facilitator's Note on Silence: In social justice work, silence is often where the most significant processing happens. If you ask a question and the room stays quiet, do not rush to fill it. Wait at least 15 seconds. Let the discomfort do its work.
Facilitation Framework
Establishing the Container #
Use these common agreements to set the tone immediately. Ask for a literal thumbs-up or verbal 'yes' from the room for each.
Community Agreements
Intent vs. Impact
Lean Into Discomfort
Accept Non-Closure
Defining the Lens #
Briefly clarify how the group will view the issue today.
- The Individual Lens: Personal choices, biases, and interactions.
- The Institutional Lens: Rules, policies, and practices within organizations (schools, workplaces).
- The Systemic Lens: The intersection of history, culture, and multiple institutions over time.