On August 31st and September 7th, the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative held its annual Deliberation Facilitator Training at the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Davidson College. These trainings, held since the spring of 2020, are designed to empower students, staff, faculty, and community members with essential skills to become facilitators of both formal and informal deliberations. Participants who complete the training become DCI certified facilitators, opening the door for participants to facilitate the DCI’s Deliberative Forums. This 8-hour training, spread over two days, enhances participants’ ability to facilitate meaningful discussions on political and social issues among deliberators with diverse perspectives.
This year, we were excited to welcome a wonderfully diverse group, with 25 participants attending in person and 4 joining us online. The cohort included a rich mix of DCI Fellows, Davidson students, staff, and engaged community members, each bringing unique insights and experiences. This blend of backgrounds created an inclusive, dynamic environment that fostered deep dialogue and collaboration right from the start.
During the first session, Dr. Graham Bullock guided participants through the essentials of setting up and preparing for deliberation. A highlight was the session’s mock deliberation on Free Speech and Inclusion, facilitated by our Senior Fellows. This hands-on experience allowed trainees to step into the role of deliberators, share personal thoughts, and observe how seasoned facilitators effectively navigate challenging, contentious conversations. The collaborative atmosphere underscored the vital importance of empathy and respect when guiding difficult discussions.
The following weekend, Dr. Bullock equipped our trainees with advanced techniques for handling the tough moments that arise in discussions on divisive issues. Participants tackled a gamified training experience that brought to life the methods and tools outlined in the Deliberation Facilitator’s Handbook, making the learning process interactive and memorable. To apply their new knowledge, they then engaged in a second mock deliberation, using the DCI’s guide on Religion in the Public Sphere. Here, trainees stepped into the facilitator role themselves, practicing how to effectively explore multiple perspectives and motivate robust conversation. This immersive practice allowed them to build confidence and refine their techniques in a supportive setting.
The training concluded with a reception where participants had the chance to connect and build community over food and refreshments. We are immensely grateful for the time spent with all our trainees over these two weekends and are excited to see how they will apply their new skills to foster meaningful conversations within their communities. We warmly welcome them into our community of deliberation advocates who are deeply committed to strengthening our democracy.
We invite all those interested in building a better democracy, one conversation at a time, to keep an eye out for future Deliberation Facilitator Trainings. We would love to welcome you to our community!
