The Oldham Community Safety and Cohesion Partnership has commissioned the Exploring Equality and Diversity through Philosophy for Communities training for the following reasons:
- In recent months, there has been a significant rise in divisive narratives being expressed both online and towards communities and officers,
- Philosophy for Communities is intended to help staff manage and respond to such situations by equipping them with the skills to facilitate constructive dialogue on a range of contentious issues;
- Richard Gore delivered Philosophy for Communities in Oldham a number of years ago and the training had a real positive impact upon those who attended.
- The training uses resources and starting points for discussion relevant to the Oldham context.
What is Philosophy for Communities (P4C)?
P4C is a tool for establishing dialogue and meaningful conversations between people from different faith/ cultural groups and backgrounds. The aim is to provide a safe space, and clear structure, in which participants can share and discuss their ideas, thoughts and opinions about important issues, and to learn from each other, in a relaxed, supportive and informal atmosphere.
The approach develops the skills of:
- Expressing one's own ideas and opinions and supporting them with reasons and examples.
- Active listening and thinking about the ideas of others.
- Taking part in meaningful dialogue with others.
- Changing one's mind after hearing the ideas of others.
Feedback from courses already delivered this year
- Aspects of the training that I have enjoyed.
- Discussions with other participants on racism and other emotive subjects.
- Relaxed training style with lots of interaction, fun, informative.
- The facilitator was excellent in handling the difficult situations, he was very good.
Things I have learnt on the course
- How I should prepare, support and empower communities/clients with strategies to build on positive engagement experiences as well as manage the conflict.
- Listen actively and ask questions to clarify before looking to solutions. Solutions are within the community and we need to enable them to bring these about.
- Facilitating skills, discussing issues out of your comfort zone, how to address current issues in the media.
Details for the programmes are shown below. Please note that P4C is a two-day training programme and participants will be required to attend both dates.
When:
- First day training: 9.30am – 3.30pm June 23 2022
- Second day training 9.30am – 3.30pm July 13 2022
Venue:
Earl Mill Business Centre, Dowry Street, Oldham. OL8 2PF. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Click here to book your place.