Facilitating Dialogue: Advanced

The Civics Credentialing System provides a system of credentials that represent pro-democracy commitments, education, actions, and recognition.

Learning Objectives

Advanced facilitation training enhances moderation skills, conflict resolution, and leadership through practical, interactive exercises.

1. Master the Fundamentals of Dialogue Facilitation:
   Participants will gain a deep understanding of dialogue principles, the facilitator's role, and essential traits for effective moderation, including leadership, active listening, and empathy.
2. Develop Advanced Facilitation Techniques:
   Participants will acquire and apply practical strategies for initiating dialogue, establishing ground rules, fostering inclusivity, maintaining focus, navigating challenging conversations, and resolving conflicts constructively.
3. Enhance Confidence and Moderator Authority:
   Participants will develop skills and strategies to assert and maintain authority in discussions while fostering a safe and respectful environment for diverse perspectives.
4. Apply Skills in Real-World Scenarios:
   Participants will engage in interactive exercises and simulations to practice applying their facilitation skills in realistic scenarios, receiving feedback and refining their techniques.

Learning Experience, Activities

This advanced dialogue facilitation workshop builds on the "Basic Dialogue Facilitation" workshop, incorporating additional skills and tools to de-escalate contentious dialogues, assert moderator authority, and guide discussions toward innovative solutions. A significant component of this training is the "Instigator/Moderator” activity. Participants will moderate their own dialogue circles, engaging in role-play to practice their skills and receive real-time feedback. This workshop is designed to be a fully encompassing guide for participants to be able to confidently and effectively moderate their own dialogues.

Assessment

Rather than a summative assessment, this course concludes with a full-length practice dialogue session where dialogue facilitation skills are practiced through a role-playing method where “bad actors” try to disrupt dialogue, and the facilitators must use their learned strategies to de-escalate conflict and move the dialogue forward.

Learning effort

3 Hour Workshop

About BridgeUSA

BridgeUSA is a multi-partisan student movement that champions viewpoint diversity, responsible discourse, and a solution-oriented political culture.

Our suite of workshops equips students and young people with the skills necessary to engage constructively across diverse viewpoints.

Through interactive and collaborative workshops, participants learn to navigate complex discussions, foster stronger communities, and enhance dialogue capabilities, both as participants and facilitators, to effectively address contemporary challenges.

Advanced Facilitation Training at Lewis and Clark College