We need to talk!

Climate change, the war in Ukraine, the so-called Middle East conflict, and the global rise of right-wing extremism are all socially controversial topics and global conflicts that concern children and young people, too. Young people follow these issues with interest and they are often linked to strong feelings and emotions, especially when they or their immediate surroundings are directly affected. Against this backdrop, conversations and discussions can quickly escalate into confrontational exchanges. It is not uncommon for differing experiences and perspectives on controversial issues to clash, seemingly becoming irreconcilable and impossible to bridge.

Professionals in youth and social work face the challenge of maintaining an overview and keeping their cool in difficult and sometimes confusing conversations, all while remaining open to dialogue and defusing conflicts through mediation. When boundaries are crossed and hostility arises in heated disputes, for example, educators must take a stand while simultaneously maintaining relationships and staying in dialogue. This requires relevant background knowledge of global political events, as well as communicative sensitivity and dialogue skills. Often, it is not so much differences in argumentation that drive conflict dynamics, but rather everyday, biographical, and emotional connections to a topic.

To empower Berlin-based professionals from youth clubs, street work, and other areas of outreach and open youth work to address conflict-laden and polarising topics effectively, Cultures Interactive develops bespoke training programmes. Designed to address the specific challenges of working in diverse social contexts, the training programmes incorporate various elements. As well as imparting foundational knowledge on challenging and conflict-laden topics and reflecting on one’s own pedagogical approach, the primary focus is on developing practical skills in dialogue facilitation. During the training, participants practice and test both their initial response and group facilitation skills, as well as narrative conversation techniques. The training sessions also provide a space for collegial exchange regarding personal experiences and possible courses of action.

The training programme is aimed at educational professionals in Berlin and can be funded through district-level resources for neighbourhood-oriented violence prevention or local partnerships for democracy, for example.