Dialogic Magazine

By: A Closer Look On: February 11, 2011

Xenia’s dialogue groups are back in action after the winter break and are preparing to meet for a full semester of activities. A majority of dialogue participants have elected to continue into the second phase of our program and will be meeting to discuss issues concerning respect and empathy in civil discourse. The focus of phase two is two-fold: first, participants learn about various issues and practice their dialogue skills as they go along; second, participants learn more about how to approach a complex issue from an objective point of view.

The two groups have scheduled their meetings in such a way that members of both groups are free to attend all eight meetings, four meetings in a particular series, or as many as they choose. One group will take on civil discourse in the private sector and will consider relationships and communication, bullying, child abuse and domestic violence, and self awareness and identity. The other group will take on civil discourse in the public sector and will consider interfaith discourse, immigration, public policy, and civil discourse as its own topic. The topics were chosen based upon their relevance and importance in current events and society and are the next step in Xenia’s process of transforming dialogue into action.

The groups will be led by two Xenia dialogue fellows, Katie Kriegel and Jason Martin, and will meet in the homes of the participants. Expert guest speakers will attend the second half of each meeting to assist the participants in deepening their understanding of the issues at hand.