How do you design and facilitate a constructive dialogue among conflicting parties?

2 Select the participants and the format of the dialogue

The next step is to decide who should be involved in the dialogue, and how they should interact. You want to ensure that the dialogue is inclusive, representative, and balanced, and that the participants have the relevant knowledge, experience, and authority to engage in a meaningful way. You also want to choose a format that suits the purpose and scope of the dialogue, and that allows for open, respectful, and productive communication. For example, you can use small group discussions, plenary sessions, online platforms, or a combination of these.

3 Prepare the participants and the facilitators for the dialogue

Once you have selected the participants and the format of the dialogue, you need to prepare them for the process. You can do this by providing them with information, resources, and guidance on the topic, the objectives, the ground rules, and the roles and responsibilities of each party. You can also ask them to complete some pre-dialogue activities, such as surveys, interviews, or self-reflection exercises, to help them identify and articulate their own views, interests, and concerns. Moreover, you need to train and support the facilitators who will lead and moderate the dialogue, and equip them with the skills and tools to handle difficult situations and emotions.

5 Follow up and evaluate the dialogue

The dialogue does not end when the session is over. You need to follow up and evaluate the dialogue, to ensure that it has met its objectives, and that it has created positive outcomes and impacts for the parties and the issue. You can do this by collecting feedback from the participants, analyzing the data and findings from the dialogue, documenting and sharing the results and recommendations, and implementing and monitoring the action plans and agreements that emerged from the dialogue.

6 Continue the dialogue and build trust and relationships

Finally, you need to remember that dialogue is not a one-time event, but a continuous process that requires ongoing commitment and effort. You need to continue the dialogue and build trust and relationships among the parties, by maintaining communication, providing updates, addressing challenges, celebrating successes, and acknowledging contributions. You also need to be open to revisiting and revising the dialogue, as new issues, information, or perspectives arise, and as the context and needs of the parties change.