Do you want to learn how to organize and facilitate dialogue processes in different contexts? Like conflict situations, challenging topics or for building or re-building social networks? This is the training for you.
Dialogue facilitation is an approach in conflict transformation and community building which enable people to talk together in an honest, open, and humanizing manner. Participants are invited to a process-based way of talking, where empathic listening and good questions form the foundation, and inclusiveness, respect, joint ownership, and humanity are the key ingredients. The facilitator of this process is crucial for creating and maintaining a safe space where participants feel respected, heard, and valued.
COURSE CONTENT:
This is a five-day interactive course that addresses various aspects of the facilitator’s role. The goal of this training is that you afterwards feel competent to facilitate a dialogue session either dialogue in conflict or public dialogue.
You will practice and reflect on the role of the facilitator and talk about challenges and dilemmas you might encounter when you practice the role in your context.
The conclusion of the training program implies the planning and implementation of a dialogue session on your working place or in connection with your volunteer work and an online final closing session.
MAIN COMPONENTS IN TRAINING:
Review: What Is a Dialogue?
You review various ways of understanding dialogue, as well as the most important elements in our approach. You will also recap your knowledge of asking dialogical questions and active listening.
Reflection: Activity
You will reflect on what dialogue facilitation is, and how does it differ from mediation, moderation and negotiation.
Understanding: Role of the Facilitator
What is the role of the facilitator in a conflict based or public dialogue? Which personal qualities and abilities must you have as a facilitator? Go through the essential tools in a facilitator’s dialogic toolbox.
Exercise: Dialogue Facilitation
You will practice dialogue facilitation in situations with different challenges using role play based on different themes and conflict situations. Then, you will receive feedback from both the course leaders and the other participants. These practices will help you and others to get more comfortable in the role, learn to give and receive feedback and understand your own strengths and weaknesses in that role.
Dilemmas: Related to Facilitation
You will reflect on dilemmas related to the facilitator’s role, including the power balance, emotional outbursts, and elements that can hinder a good dialogue. What do you do when there is no right or wrong answer. The course will also focus on how you can stay multi-partial, so that all participants can trust the process and feel safe and brave enough to participate. You will also reflect on how to be an authority without being authoritarian.
Preparing: A Dialogue Process
Facilitation of dialogues needs to be prepared. You will learn about various steps in this planning process, among others recruitment. We also take a closer look at conflict as a transformative process and how to plan it and where and when to use public dialogues in your communities.
Who is the facilitator training suitable for?
Anyone who has participated on basic level dialogue courses offered through Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue – or similar qualifications.
Read more about Nansen Dialogue Approach.
Practical information
DURATION: 5 full days
DATE: December 1th – 5th 2025 (advised arrival on November 31st)
VENUE: Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue, Lillehammer, Norway
TIME: 09:00–18:00 (CET)
LANGUAGE: English
PARTICIPANTS: Max 14 persons
FEE: EUR 1400
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 20th 2025. Apply sooner if you need visa.
Based on assessment of personal applications and group composition, Nansen Peace Center grants participation in the training. We advice you to apply as soon as you can.
The course does not provide any formal certification, but you will receive a document showing proof of completion at the NCPD.
DIALOGUE is a facilitated conversation based on active listening and explorative questions.
