Avoiding conversations about domination, power, race, gender, or sexual orientation is no longer an option.

Why? Because avoiding challenging conversations results in emotional strain. People learn to suppress their anxiety, shame, fear and anger, but emotions inevitably surface when the stakes are high. You can support authentic communication in your classes, your meetings, your workplace, and your relationships.

But how do you hold such conversations? How do you address power differences, unearned advantages, or racial oppression? How do you embrace people from all walks of life so that everyone feels fully heard, valued for their contribution, and acknowledged for their unique experiences?

If you've been walking on eggshells – afraid you'll say the wrong thing – and you're ready for a change, join us for this exciting 9-week series. You'll discover how Nonviolent Communication can give you the courage to address some of the most challenging issues of our times through deep listening… heart connections… needs awareness… and clear requests.

Together we'll delve into how to:

• Support safe, courageous space to foster inclusion and transform judgments
• Create shared reality about oppression and isms using clear observations
• Discover how rank influences who gets to speak, take space, and determine the group's direction
• Expand your capacity to recognize historical patterns, micro aggressions and fragility
• Mourn by creating sacred space to empathize with the pain of those harmed as well as those who have harmed others
• Heal the wounds of personal and systemic oppression
• Shift from a culture of shame to a culture of support

And so much more!

 
You will also expect to explore ways of responding to bias, slights, and stereotypes. For example, what do you do when someone in your workshop or meeting says one of the following phrases:

• Where are you from? (Here.) Well, where are your parents from?
• I'm not even going to try to pronounce your last name.
• I don't see color. There's only one race: the human race.
• Women are more empathic than men. That's a fact.
• You're Asian right? How do Japanese people feel about this issue?
• Can't we just focus on how we're alike instead of how we're different?
• You need to check your privilege.
• Why does someone who looks like a woman get so upset when people can't remember to call her "they"?

And, you can strengthen your programs when you learn how to:

• Call people in to dialogue as opposed to calling them out or shaming them;
• Identify your own unearned advantages and make the system more equitable;
• Shift from fragility and defensiveness to become a courageous ally;
• Discover what you need to know about working in the global south if you're from the global north
• Reflect on on your own personal isms and biases, and change your behavior instead of pointing a finger at other people's racism, sexism, and phobias.

We'll also be looking into ways NVC may be used as a tool for changing social systems.

 

As you can easily see in the above illustration, the starting line is not the same for everyone. Leaning on the framework of NVC enables you to hold honest, creative conversations about systems. It helps you look beyond diversity to focus on inclusion and change, and invites others to engage in creating solutions. When people are engaged, they connect – and they take action. They take a stand against systems of oppression and power-over… they participate in openhearted, practical conversations about inclusion… and they do the challenging work of changing the systems – and the culture.

Who Should Take This Course

This program is for trainers, facilitators, teachers, people who hold meetings, and leaders of all kinds. If you want tools to support greater diversity, equity and inclusion in your work, please join us.

This course was first offered in 2018: over 100 people registered. Based on feedback and many requests, this year's course has been extended to 9 full weeks. This will allow everyone to practice more and gain more confidence.

Feedback from 2018 Course Participants

This was one of the most beneficial courses I've taken in ten years. It was my first NVC experience, and I was impressed by the excellent content presented in class and in the supporting documentation, the significant time dedicated to practicing and role-playing, the vulnerability of the trainers, and the welcoming nature of the trainers, moderator, and participants. –Kim Kelly MD, Physician and Leader ~ Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Grateful for the learning and for the practice around being an ally. I speak for myself and for my pain when confronting injustice. Pairing NVC (connection and caring for all needs) with Kingian nonviolence (to raise awareness) is an effective strategy. –Rachel Turiel, Freelance Writer and NVC Teacher

The transparency demonstrated by the moderators gave me a sense of trust, compassion, and comfort around stepping out with this class. I felt invited to explore during the breakouts and exercises. Roxy's sharing helped me connect and feel secure in my learning. Martha's vulnerability was helpful to learn from: I could easily see how we're all learning together. –Marcia Christen, CNVC Certified Trainer