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What is a Conversation?
A conversation is a discussion among two or more people that uses a
positive interview protocol known as Appreciative Inquiry. Appreciative
Inquiry shifts the focus of the dialogue from a discussion of deficiency to a
deliberate inquiry into the stories, theories, evidence, and illustrations
that provide new guiding images for the future.
The premise behind the conversations is that in any situation there are an
infinite number of stories that can be told, each with its own set of
consequences. The question that faces us is "how can we write, create or
present stories that are the most beneficial for the greatest number of
people?" Appreciative Inquiry suggests that the best way to answer this
question is to begin looking around for the very best examples of where
people are already doing this; to learn from those examples; and then to
envision together what more we can do to multiply, expand, augment, amplify,
and extend those examples. Our intention is not to sugar-coat or ignore the
dark side of life. Our goal is to find journalists, media executives,
advertisers, artists, storytellers, etc., who are already making a positive
contribution to society through their images and voices. Together, we then
ask "how can we do more to magnify the constructive contribution that our
industries make to the future of society?"
A Template for an Images and Voices of Hope Dialogue
Each dialogue is unique. It focuses on the subjects that are most
important to the community that is creating the dialogue, and it reflects the
special gifts of those who are planning and participating in it. However,
there are a few characteristics that are constant to all of the dialogues:
- They are inclusive and dialogic. There is no expert on the stage
telling the others the “right” way to think about media. It is first and
foremost a dialogue among equal participants with a shared interest in the
impact of public image making and public story telling.
- The role of Appreciative Inquiry. Appreciative Inquiry is a “dialogue
engine” – a method and approach to creating the kinds of dialogues that
seek out what is life giving in any particular system (in this case the
“media system”) and generates possibilities for the community that is
participating. We have included some information in this packet about
Appreciative Inquiry and some sample dialogue designs. We can also provide
you with the names of some experienced “AI” facilitators who may be able to
help.
- The importance of local support. The conveners of these dialogues are
creating a repository of the growing body of knowledge and collective
wisdom on the dialogues, however each dialogue is locally created and
supported. This means that your local sponsors are very important. They
become important thinking partners for you in creating “scale” for your
project. Local sponsors and partners in past conversations have
participated in countless important ways:
- Offering locations to house the dialogues, food, flowers and staff
support as well as financial support.
- Offering to stage exhibitions, provide artwork, process photographs,
frame artwork, etc.
- Lending their name and endorsement to the dialogue
- Providing entertainment, performance pieces, etc.
- Arranging for videotaping, still photography, or edited
- The role of your planning group. Each conversation begins with a
planning group of 6-10 people who share an interest in the subject of the
impact of public image making and public story telling on society.
Generally these people have some affiliation with one of the national
conveners or with some part of the media. These groups work best when they
convene on a regularly scheduled basis at the same place and when they
represent a variety of specialties and gifts. It is this group that pulls
together the first dialogue.
- The power of thought leaders. In many cities the planning groups have
gained the trust and participation of a few people who are well known in
their field and whose name and endorsement creates excitement around the
project. In Miami there was David Lawrence, former publisher of the Miami
Herald. In New York there was David Finn, founding partner of Ruder-Finn.
In Tampa it was Roy Peter Clark, a senior scholar at the Poynter Institute.
In Santiago it was biologist and philosopher, Humberto Maturana from the
University of Santiago.
- The design of the gathering. The shortest dialogue (Tampa) lasted for
just under three hours, the longest (Providence) for ten hours. Most of
them last for roughly a half day – either starting with a continental
breakfast and finishing with lunch, or starting with lunch and wrapping
with a reception. It is very important to allow enough time for thoughtful
reflection, which cannot happen if everyone is rushing on to the next
activity.
- The design of the dialogue itself. It is very important that there be
a genuine dialogue – not a program at which experts espouse their opinions
from a stage. It is also very important that
The following sections will help you plan for a Conversation in your
community:
Sample Programs
Sample Conversations
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