The Sustained Dialogue Institute teaches a conversation framework that has been adopted by diverse organizations and communities on a global scale. By focusing dialogues on deep listening and developing empathy between participants instead of just focusing on the viewpoints of the issue at hand, the groups have created lasting change within their communities and helped to foster understanding and respect between groups with opposing viewpoints or beliefs. Read on to learn more about Sustained Dialogues and their similarities to Golden Civilization Conversations.

The History

The Sustained Dialogue Institute (SDI) was founded by Dr. Hal Saunders, an American diplomat who was a key member in the small U.S. team that mediated five Arab-Israeli agreements in six years, including the Kissinger shuttle agreements, the Camp David accords and the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty. Founded in 2002, SDI had early collaboration with Saunder’s alma mater, Princeton University, where students used the dialogue to discuss tense subjects on campus and then founded the Sustained Dialogue Campus Network (SDCN).

The Methodology

Sustained Dialogues follow a specific format. They are a “proven dialogue-to-action change process which has been implemented to enhance social climate, address intergroup campus conflict, and transform relationships with local partners.

Conversations are sustainable:

One of the key elements that categorizes Sustained Dialogues is their continuation. They are sustained in three main ways

Time & Duration: SD groups meet consistently at an appointed weekly time for at least an hour.
Participants & Moderators: Each SD group maintains the same participants and moderators.
Continuity of Conversation: Each meeting is designed to continue where the last one ended.

There are some other guidelines for conversations as well. They are generally comprised of 8-15 people. They generally meet for at least an hour, more than 7 times. They operate off of a set of ground rules that are agreed upon at the first meeting.

Sustained Dialogues have a 5-stage process:

Stage 1: The group comes together

Stage 2: They discuss personal experiences that relate to community concerns

Stage 3: They pick an issue to focus on and work to analyze the root causes

Stages 4 & 5: They plan and execute action/advocacy around their chosen issue

There are some similarities here to the Golden Civilization Conversations, especially the Obstacles part of the Conversation, where the vision (similar to the personal experiences of Stage 2) is examined closely and the participants list inner and outer obstacles currently standing in the way. Focusing on a few specific obstacles, the facilitator of the Golden Civilization Conversation guides the participants into a conversation about personal action steps that are committable and actionable and asks that the participant find someone that will hold them accountable to carry them out in their lives moving forward.

Sustained Dialogues have two main goals:

1) Improving relationships across lines of difference

2) Taking concrete action to improve communities

Like Golden Civilization Conversations, Sustained Dialogues are focused on “learning about the real personal experiences of the others in the group to build empathy and relationships across lines of difference.” In Golden Civilization Conversations, especially the Vision stage, facilitators are encouraged to include every idea that is mentioned within the group. It is most important to build trust within the group and encourage big thinking in terms of what is possible.

SDI also notes that Sustained Dialogues “are not meant to debate issues, “win” people to one side, or impress group members with conceptual thinking. Instead, the framework focuses on encouraging members to share, interact, respond, and understand each other to bring about community change.

The Impact

SDCN has had great success spreading Sustained Dialogues to campus worldwide. They have impacted 44 campuses, citing 15 different implementation strategies, models, or forms that the Sustained Dialogues can take. This work has also been used in communities and workplaces.

How can we take the growth that the Sustained Dialogue Institute has proven possible and apply it to groups who have already participated in Golden Civilization Conversations? How can we help groups continue to meet and expand upon the progress made during the group’s initial exposure to the idea of A Golden Civilization?

If you have any suggestions or would be interested in hosting a Golden Civilization Conversation and would be interested in speaking with a team member for resources, please email Natalie and Lora at info@kinderinstitute.com.

Already hosted a Golden Civilization Conversation? Let us know! We would love to share your experience with the larger community.