Communication in Times of Conflict
Find confidence and empowerment as you face the conflicts of your life.
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You avoid difficult conversations.
You become reactive or defensive in conflicts.
You struggle to voice your needs, boundaries or perspectives.
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explore and grow within a safe, supportive and collaborative group.
be invited to engage in role-plays, self inquiry, guided practices, and group discussions.
learn the 8 core skills from the Engaging Constructively in Challenging Conversations (ECCC) Framework.
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practical skills and strategies for navigating conflict and staying grounded with difficult emotions.
more confidence to approach the uncomfortable conversations and situations of your life.
a deeper understanding of yourself and a new sense of agency in your life.
Upcoming Program:
Five Sessions on Tuesday Nights
6:30pm - 9:00pm.
Dates: April 14, April 21, April 28. May 5, May 19.
Location: Fairfield, Melbourne.
Fill out the application form to join.
“The sessions were thoughtfully designed, with challenging conversations that encouraged deep reflection and active participation. The facilitators created a supportive environment where diverse perspectives were welcomed, making the discussions both meaningful and enriching. What stood out most was how practical and relevant the content was. I was able to take away insights that I can apply immediately. Overall, it was one of the most helpful workshops I’ve attended, and I would highly recommend it to others.” - Sarah Yue
The sessions were thoughtfully designed, with challenging conversations that encouraged deep reflection and active participation. The facilitators created a supportive environment where diverse perspectives were welcomed, making the discussions both meaningful and enriching. What stood out most was how practical and relevant the content was. I was able to take away insights that I can apply immediately. Overall, it was one of the most helpful workshops I’ve attended, and I would highly recommend it to others. - Sarah Yue
About the Program
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Navigating conflict is a set of skills which takes practice rather than intellectual understanding: Reading a book about conflict may not make you better at navigating conflict.
In order for the teachings to be truly impactful, we encourage you to bring challenges from your life into the room and work on them during the sessions with us. We will do this by applying the framework in role-play scenarios where your partners will embody views/people/perspectives that challenge you. We will offer various practices, insights and processes to deepen your understanding of yourself in order to evolve your capacity to skillfully navigate and communicate in spaces of conflict and difference.
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This program will be utilising the Engaging Constructively in Challenging Conversations (ECCC) framework, designed to give you insights, skills and confidence to have constructive conversations in the midst of differences and conflicts. It is experiential and practical, and combines looking inward to develop self-awareness and practical tools for having the conversations. Some of these include:
Strategies for centering yourself and regulating difficult emotions.
Skills for understanding the other and moving towards a constructive outcome.
Learning language that invites listening rather than reaction or defensiveness.
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The ECCC framework was developed by Shoshana Faire. She is passionate about peace and what it takes to create peace. She began her journey on the path of peace building as one of the Co-founders of the Conflict Resolution Network, which was established in Australia in 1986 to develop and spread skills for handling conflict. She is co-author of the best-selling book Everyone Can Win – Resolving Conflict Constructively, published in six languages. Shoshana has delivered over 1,250 workshops in corporate, government and community contexts on a range of skills that contribute to better relationships, teams and meetings. She is a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney’s Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, where she runs workshops on practical skills for conflict conversations and collaborative approaches to advocacy. Shoshana has been actively involved in Initiatives of Change (IofC) since 2010 and is currently an International Coordinator for Creators of Peace. She develops and mentors women internationally in becoming peace creators and Creators of Peace Circle facilitators.
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$395 standard
$295 concession
If you are in a difficult financial situation and this program is something you deeply need, you can let us know in the application form.
"I decided to participate in the 'Communication in times of Conflict' with an intention to build confidence within myself and learn about better ways to communicate with compassion and care during a conflict or argument. The program was fantastic, and I felt I was able to truly absorb the learnings, practice them using real-life scenarios and understand more about myself and my patterns along the way. Everyone was welcomed and fully supported to speak from the heart and it was a really wonderful group of people who came together to help one another whilst sharing some vulnerable moments. The program exceeded my expectations and I would highly recommend this course to anybody who wants to improve their communication style and practice having difficult conversations in a safe and caring space". - Christine
"I decided to participate in the 'Communication in times of Conflict' with an intention to build confidence within myself and learn about better ways to communicate with compassion and care during a conflict or argument. The program was fantastic, and I felt I was able to truly absorb the learnings, practice them using real-life scenarios and understand more about myself and my patterns along the way. Everyone was welcomed and fully supported to speak from the heart and it was a really wonderful group of people who came together to help one another whilst sharing some vulnerable moments. The program exceeded my expectations and I would highly recommend this course to anybody who wants to improve their communication style and practice having difficult conversations in a safe and caring space". - Christine
Your Facilitators:
Mike Lowe from IofC has over 25 years of international experience with IofC leading transformational workshops in the areas of trustbuilding and reconciliation. He has worked with politicians and young leaders in Eastern Europe after the fall of communism, and has worked on programmes of reconciliation with police and former militia leaders in the Solomon Islands. His particular gift is in creating safe spaces in which transformation can occur, and he has a particular interest in earth-based spirituality, indigenous wisdom, process-oriented psychology, trauma healing, men's work and supporting the rise of healthy and authentic Masculine and Feminine energies as we transition from patriarchal and colonial ways of being. He co-facilitates healing workshops Innate Wisdom Connection and blogs at www.mikelowe.com.au
Vadim Ragozin is Co-Founder and Director of Turning Ground, where he leads Community and Programs. He is an educational designer, facilitator, and artist whose work explores how learning experiences can support deeper human development.
He holds a degree in Physics from The University of Melbourne, and has trained in group facilitation, systems thinking, and regenerative practice with organisations including Human Synergistics, Regenesis Institute and The International Bateson Institute. Vadim has worked across diverse contexts, from contributing to the redesign of the medical degree at The University of Melbourne to facilitating intercultural and interfaith dialogue in high schools.
He is currently collaborating with Integrative Psychology & Medicine to develop an integrative framework for human development and mental health.
"I signed up for Communication in Times of Conflict because in my personal and work life, I often find myself in a conversation where I don’t agree with what is being said, but the topic is fraught, I fear getting into hot water, and so stay silent. The course offered an easy to apply model for approaching these situations in a way that de-escalates me and the other person and makes space for some kind of curious and respectful engagement. Also, it was just a lovely space to come along to and hang out with two skilled facilitators and a bunch of people trying to find good ways to show up in the world. Thanks Vadim and Mike." - Ian
A little about the partnering organisations:
"I signed up for Communication in Times of Conflict because in my personal and work life, I often find myself in a conversation where I don’t agree with what is being said, but the topic is fraught, I fear getting into hot water, and so stay silent. The course offered an easy to apply model for approaching these situations in a way that de-escalates me and the other person and makes space for some kind of curious and respectful engagement. Also, it was just a lovely space to come along to and hang out with two skilled facilitators and a bunch of people trying to find good ways to show up in the world. Thanks Vadim and Mike." - Ian
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Turning Ground is a Melbourne-based organisation at the intersection of mental health, education, and human development.
Across all of our offerings - from one-on-one psychotherapy, to group programs, to larger events, to leadership development - we focus on cultivating the psychological, relational and social capacities that will move us towards resilience and flourishing. We see that authentic individual transformation must include how we find belonging and participation within larger systems. And we see that true systems change must look at the deeply intimate and complex challenges we face as individuals.
Our team draws in backgrounds is mental health, education, leadership development, creativity, and science. Across all of our work is a shared commitment: to create spaces where people can meet themselves and each other with greater clarity, courage, and care.
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Started in 1986, CRN’s vision is to create conflict-resolving communities in cultures of peace and social justice. We research, develop and disseminate the theory and practice of Conflict Resolution throughout a national and international network. Conflict Resolution skills build stronger and more unified organisations, more rewarding relationships and conflict-resolving communities.
We believe this process starts from where we stand – it can be personal, within family, community, government or the international arena.
All are welcome:
All ages, cultures, orientations.
Our offerings seek to create spaces for all, as we seek to build bridges, and weave trust. We hope to co-create open, connective, and generative dialogues; even in all of our differences.
If you have any questions, queries, concerns or curiosities, please reach out to us at: programs@turningground.com.au
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For us to hold truly generative spaces, Turning Ground operates with clear boundaries and agreements so that everyone feels safe and welcome to share themselves as fully and authentically as possible. Below is our code of conduct, which we invite all participants to read before attending our programs:
Authenticity: Being ourselves, speaking what is true for us. Sharing from our own experience and knowledge. Not being here to impress anyone.
Emotions: Being natural with our rich and complex emotions. Letting them flow if they arise, and allowing others to be in their emotions without needing to ‘fix’ anyone.
Difference: Creating room for a deeper conversation that includes all our diverse perspectives. Opposition, disagreement and even conflict are part of life, let’s learn to be with it all in a generative way.
Fumbling: Courageously exploring what is good and true. Sometimes this involves stumbling through what might be considered taboo or even offensive to some. As long as we hold respectful intentions, fumbling is okay.
Everyone's Voice Matters: Being self-aware of how much we are contributing to the group. Am I taking up too much space? Maybe I need to give others a chance to share. Am I holding back and avoiding sharing? Maybe I do have something valuable to contribute.
Self-Responsibility: Understanding our own boundaries and limits when it comes to delving into vulnerable personal content or emotions. Not participating in something if it doesn’t feel right. Taking care of ourselves. Asking for support if we need it.
Confidentiality: Any personal content that another chooses to share with us is to remain confidential unless we have permission to share it. This includes sharing to others in the group, and to the outside world.
Unacceptable Behaviours:
Intentionally harmful verbal comments towards another including as related to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, race, ethnicity, age, political affiliation, or religion.
Crossing physical boundaries or touching another without consent.
Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning conduct.
We’re all responsible, all of the time, to take positive action in response to unacceptable behaviours.
Read some of our blog posts about conflict:
"I have relearned myself in a new way, remembering that being stuck in 'being right' does not bring peace to anyone. I have resolved a conflict with a life long friend by letting go of my perceptions about why they were behaving a certain way. It allowed us both to be in the present moment, which helped to heal the wound." - Anonymous Participant
"I have relearned myself in a new way, remembering that being stuck in 'being right' does not bring peace to anyone. I have resolved a conflict with a life long friend by letting go of my perceptions about why they were behaving a certain way. It allowed us both to be in the present moment, which helped to heal the wound." - Anonymous Participant