Program Information: Communication in Times of Conflict

5-Part Program

Learning the art of communication in the presence of conflict and difference

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Upcoming dates for programs can be found within the application form.

If you cannot make a date but want to let us know you are interested, there is an option to do so within the application form.

Next Programs:

Weekend Intensive:

Sessions: 9:30am-4:00pm, Saturday March 15th & Sunday March 16th, 2025.

Location: Thornbury.

Lunch provided both days

Weeknight Program:

Sessions: 6:30pm-9:00pm, Monday Nights.

Location: Fairfield.

Dates: Mar 17, Mar 24, Mar 31, Apr 7, Apr 14, 2025.

Program Summary: A 5 part in-person program exploring the 8 core skills of the Engaging Constructively in Challenging Conversations framework. Offering practical skills that will support you in navigating conflict that is both political/ideological and interpersonal. A skills based program which includes experiential learning through role-plays, self-reflective practices and group discussions. Participants are invited to bring real life conflicts they are challenged by to work with them as we go through the program. Standard price is $395, concession $295, payment plans and alternative price brackets are available through the application form.

Could conflict with others become a catalyst for growth and connection rather than pain and separation?

Might our differences become generative, instead of divisive or violent? 

Can we coexist harmoniously with those that hold opposing opinions, no matter how different? 

Join Turning Ground and Initiatives of Change Australia as we learn the art of having genuinely constructive conversations, even in the presence of difference or conflict. 

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where ……

  • something was said that you disagreed with, and you stayed quiet and wished you hadn’t?

  • you became defensive and reacted in ways you wish you hadn’t?

  • you moved away from someone who seemed difficult or different rather than engaged in a conversation?

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.

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.

PROGRAM DETAILS:

This program is held in a small closed group consisting of 5 in-person sessions, each 2.5 hours long. The Engaging Constructively in Challenging Conversations framework has 8 core skills which we will explore in a very experiential and practical way. We emphasise the importance of practice: Navigating conflict with grace is an art form which takes embodied practice rather than abstract or intellectual understanding.

You will have the opportunity to bring your own real challenges from 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. 

“In the heat of the conflict, it is hard not to get emotional. Once emotions get triggered, it's hard to see things objectively. This is why it is helpful to study the nature of conflict and understand how it operates objectively. You don't improve as a martial artist by getting into street fights all the time. You improve by practicing in the safety of a dojo, outside of the heated emotions involved in a real-life combat situation. You practice your moves repetitively, over and over and over again, so that those skills become integrated and embodied as muscle memory, and when you are in a real conflict, you're not thinking about it. Your body naturally reacts, because it has become your new default.” - Kazu Haga, Healing Resistance

Below is a short summary of the ECCC framework:

TESTIMONIALS FROM PARTICIPANTS:

"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 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

"I recently participated in 'Communication in Times of Conflict' with Turning Ground and Initiatives of Change. I really loved the framework, and found the discussions very insightful. It really illuminated the inner processes that can make conflict so tricky. I definitely left feeling more resourced to communicate in a collaborative way. The facilitation was amazing, I really felt like the space was collaborative, which led to such a richness during the sessions. The guys are great at inviting all participants to share and develop. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to improve their capacity for dialogue!!" - Drew

PRICE:

Standard price: $395. Concession: $295. Payment plans are available.

We not wish price to be a barrier. In the application form, there is an opportunity to request a different price if you are not in a financial position to afford the full price or the concession.
Group Discounts available: If there are three or more people from your workplace or community that might also benefit from this program, bulk discounts are available. Simply email programs@turningground.com.au.

Apply through the application form.

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 one of the founders and directors of Turning Ground, and Lead of Community and Programs. He is an educational designer, group facilitator, and artist. He is continually striving to integrate our inner and outer worlds, reweaving what often gets lost in the cracks; a sense of meaning, wisdom, connection, and belonging in our lives. 

TURNING GROUND:

In such uncertain and tumultuous times, Turning Ground is here to cultivate our capacities to respond wisely and courageously. They take the view that our participation in life must reweave our relationships - within ourselves, between each other, and with our wider world. Turning Ground’s offerings of psychotherapy, programs and events are all in service of planting seeds for a more hopeful and beautiful future to emerge - individually and collectively.

INITIATIVES OF CHANGE:

Initiatives of Change (IofC) is a world-wide movement of people of diverse cultures and backgrounds, who are committed to the transformation of society through changes in human motives and behaviour, starting with our own.

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. 

  • 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.

If you have any questions, queries, concerns or curiosities, please reach out to us at: programs@turningground.com.au

To see upcoming programs and to apply, see the form below:

Upcoming dates for programs can be found inside the form at the ‘I am applying for the following program:’ page within the form.