By TFC Staff

September 2001-May 2002

The Activist Dialogue Project is a program run by Training for Change. It is designed to promote connection and co-operation between activists of differing ages, experiences, and perspectives. Through facilitated discussions, people are encouraged to seriously engage and deal with some of the conflicts and problems that prevent activists from being as effective as possible. It works to unite three specific groups of activists: community-based you activists, college activists, and older more experienced activists.

The Project originated as a result of some of the organizing around the protests against the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia in 2000. While there were many dedicate and hardworking people involved in the organizing, differences in age, political beliefs, and organizing styles, as well as personal conflicts, kept the movement from being as united as it could and should have been. The Activist Dialogue Project was conceived a way to break through some of the barriers and strife that can plague our organizing efforts.

Activists meet, one-to-one, to discuss, with the aid of a facilitator from Training for Change, some of the agreements and disagreements that may exist, as well as the curiosity and connections that may be created. The facilitators are present to ensure that both parties feel protected and supported, and able to express themselves truly and fully, without needing to "hold back." These discussions encourage a real and powerful airing of differences, as well as a true realization of the many things that activists may have in common. As the Project continues, these one-on-one discussions will lead to larger, group discussions, with the desire that a working group will emerge and continue forging ongoing connections and communications.

We feel that beginning to understand and talk through our conflicts, seeing how we are similar, and learning to live with our differences, can help us to create a stronger and more united movement. A true respect for each other, and a thorough understanding of our joint struggles, can only lead to more powerful and successful social change, a desire that we all, regardless of our differences, can get behind. If you are interested, or if you know someone who you think would be interested, please call or email the office, or one of the facilitators listed below.

Marie Bloom
Brian Kelly
Martin Wiley
Program Associates