Capacity Building for Reconciling Divided Communities

This three-year project builds upon a previously funded project around the exploration and use of dialogue as a tool for conflict resolution. Its aim is to research relations between communities whose homelands are in conflict, and to explore ways in which they might be able to reassess their understanding of the situations they feel strongly about and their perceptions of and attitudes to the ‘opposing’ side.

Aim

The underlying aim is to assist these communities and their members, including those in leadership positions, to:

  • identify areas of mistrust or misunderstanding;
  • create opportunities for co-operation and joint activities;
  • explore solutions that address the needs of all parties; and
  • develop dialogue and conflict resolution skills, and attitudes and relationships likely to enrich Australian multiculturalism and promote greater social cohesion.

Description

The project has two main components:

  • The first part of the project will enable the Centre for Dialogue to take forward the work of the previous two years, with the Sri Lankan and Middle East communities in Victoria. The Centre proposes to play a mentoring role, and to reflect on that experience as a way of further contributing to the theory and practice of dialogue.
  • In the second component, the Centre for Dialogue will research, design and deliver a series of training programs tailored to the needs of different groups (representatives from divided communities, and governmental and non-governmental sectors involved in different ways with ethnic communities, and members of the public who wish to develop and apply their mediation, dialogue and conflict resolution skills). These training programs will be based on careful research of the background of the participating communities, their level of knowledge and experience, and in particular the contexts in which they are likely to apply the insights, skills and competencies acquired through these programs. In addition to designing and delivering these programs, the Centre will produce a range of carefully researched printed and multi-media materials. Again it is proposed that the programme will be carefully monitored, and lead to a number of research publications on both the theory and practice of dialogue.

Anticipated Outcomes

  • Four peer reviewed papers;
  • A detailed report to be widely distributed to relevant communities, policy-makers, educators and media;
  • An extensive database to be used in a variety of ways, including continued skilling of key stakeholders in Victoria with an interest in inter-ethnic/inter-cultural dialogue and engagement;
  • Greater community understanding of the philosophy and practice of dialogue; and
  • Sustained, creative relationships between Victoria’s divided communities.

Duration

2011-2014

Funding Bodies

  • William Buckland Foundation
  • Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship
  • VicHealth
  • Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Chief Investigators

  • Prof Joseph A. Camilleri
  • Dr Michális S. Michael

For further information contact Dr Michális S. Michael, Deputy Director, Centre for Dialogue.