Dialogue & Mediation: how to talk across differences

🎯
Workshop goal

Participants learn to recognise “triggers” in intercultural conversations, use I‑statements and a 3‑step de‑escalation, and then practise short micro‑mediations in a safe setting.

👥
Target group

Age: 18–30
Group size: 15–20 people
Format: In‑person
Language: Polish

⏱️
Duration

Total: 180 minutes (3 hours)
Structure: 3 main modules + supporting activities
Breaks: 1 main break (10 min)

🧠
Learning outcomes

Knowledge: Distinguishing facts from interpretations, I‑statement structure
Skills: Paraphrasing, micro‑mediation, de‑escalation
Attitudes: Respect, curiosity, responsibility

📅 Workshop schedule

0–15'

Opening and safety rules

Present the purpose and flow, agree rules: “speak from I”, “pause when it’s hard”, “confidentiality”

Intro
15–25'

Icebreaker “Common points without words”

Loosen up without language pressure — move around the room, form groups by categories

Integration
25–35'

Mentimeter PRE

Baseline — 3 questions assessing initial skills

Evaluation
35–65'

MODULE 1: Intercultural case + “fact vs interpretation”

Distinguish facts from interpretations, name triggers based on case H10

Main module
30 min
65–75'

Micro‑tool: I‑statement + paraphrasing

Learn and practise the I‑statement structure in pairs

Tool
75–85'

BREAK

Time to rest and connect

Break
85–115'

MODULE 2: 3 de‑escalation steps

Automate the algorithm: Notice — Name impact — Propose/Ask

Main module
30 min
115–125'

Energiser “Echo name + gesture”

Short movement reset with increasing pace

Energiser
125–160'

MODULE 3: Micro‑mediations in triads

Apply tools in real conversations — 3 rounds × 10 minutes

Main module
35 min
160–172'

Poster “Group dialogue code”

Jointly agree rules to use in future sessions

Wrap‑up
172–180'

Mentimeter POST + small step

Assess progress and declare how the tools will be used

Evaluation

📋 Workshop materials

🗺️

CARD D1

Map of differences and triggers

Card for analysing the intercultural case, separating facts from interpretations, and identifying personal triggers.

Case (short): [H10 situation – e.g., a joke about accent/punctuality] FACTS: ... INTERPRETATIONS: ... MY TRIGGERS (3): ... WHAT WILL HELP ME (2 strategies): ...
💬

CARD D2

I‑statement – template

Template for creating I‑statements in conflict situations.

When [FACT], I feel [EMOTION] because [NEED/VALUE]. I ask that [CONCRETE REQUEST]. Example: “When I hear jokes about my accent, I feel embarrassed because respect is important to me. Please don’t comment on how I speak during class.”
🎭

CARD D3

Scenes and roles – notes

Card for noting observations from micro‑mediations in triads.

Scene 1: joke about accent/words Scene 2: different expectations around punctuality Scene 3: interrupting and speaking at once Mediator notes: What did I notice? How did I paraphrase? What requests were made? What helped?
🔧

CARD D4

3 de‑escalation steps – cheat sheet

Cheat sheet with the de‑escalation algorithm and sample phrases.

1. Notice the fact 2. Name the impact 3. Propose/Ask Micro‑phrases: “I hear raised voices” → “It’s hard for me to understand” → “Let’s speak one by one / 2‑minute pause”
📋

CARD D5

Plan for a difficult conversation

Template for planning and conducting difficult conversations.

Before: goal of the talk, 1 fact, 1 request, time and place During: I‑statement, paraphrase, 3 steps After: what we agreed, when we return with feedback
⭐

RUBRIC D‑COM

Communication feedback

System for assessing communication skills (0–2 pts/criterion, max 8).

1. Paraphrasing and questions (0–2) 2. I‑statement (0–2) 3. 3 de‑escalation steps (0–2) 4. Respect and boundaries (0–2) Interpretation: 0–3 – starting 4–6 – solid 7–8 – very good

👨‍🏫 Trainer guide

🎯 Workshop preparation

Room & equipment:

  • “U‑shape” + 4 tables
  • 1 flipchart + markers
  • Projector
  • Timer

Materials to prepare:

  • Cards D1–D5 (1 per person)
  • Rubric D‑COM
  • A3 paper for poster
  • Prepared Mentimeter
  • Slides (goal/plan, I‑statement, 3 steps)
🛡️ Safety rules

Key rules to agree:

  • “Speak from I” — use I‑statements instead of accusations
  • “Pause when it’s hard” — anyone can ask for a break
  • “Confidentiality” — what happens in the workshop stays in the workshop
  • Voluntariness — no one is forced to share personal experiences

Responding to tension:

  • Suggest a pause/water/short break
  • Model the attitudes — use I‑statements yourself
  • Stay neutral — moderate the process, do not judge the parties
📚 Detailed module instructions

MODULE 1: Intercultural case (30')

  1. Team work (12'): Read the case. Split statements into FACTS (what a camera could record) and INTERPRETATIONS (opinions, judgments)
  2. Triggers (8'): List 3 situations that “raise the temperature”
  3. Mini‑reflection (5'): What helps notice “this is my interpretation”?
  4. Summary (5'): Collect 3–4 examples on the flipchart

MODULE 2: 3 de‑escalation steps (30')

  1. Overview + mini‑demo (10'): Present the 3 steps with examples
  2. Table exercise (20'): Choose proper reactions in 3 mini scenes
  3. Correctness check (5'): Teams swap sheets, check with Rubric D‑COM

MODULE 3: Micro‑mediations in triads (35')

  • Round 1 (10'): Mediator practises setting up the talk, paraphrasing
  • Round 2 (10'): Switch roles, scene 2
  • Round 3 (10'): Switch roles, scene 3
  • Feedback (5'): According to Rubric D‑COM

Tip: Remind about pauses, watch the time, don’t settle “who is right” — practise the process.

🔄 Adaptations and plan B

Language barrier:

  • Pictogram cards
  • Allow short notes in UA/RU/EN + quick translation
  • More “repeat‑after‑me” examples

Less time (120'):

  • M1 to 20', M2 to 20', M3 to 25'
  • Keep the Dialogue Code poster

More time (+30'):

  • Record short mediation fragments on phones
  • Pair analysis (what worked?)
✅ Checklist

Before the workshop:

  • ☐ Print cards D1–D5 and rubrics
  • ☐ Slides (goal/plan, I‑statement, 3 steps)
  • ☐ Prepared Mentimeter
  • ☐ Timer
  • ☐ Flipchart and markers
  • ☐ A3 paper for the poster

After the workshop:

  • ☐ Photos of the Dialogue Code poster
  • ☐ Scans of cards
  • ☐ Save Mentimeter results
  • ☐ List of “small steps” from Card D5
  • ☐ Attendance list
  • ☐ Consents for photos of outputs

📊 Evaluation system

Mentimeter – PRE and POST questions

Rate your skills on a scale of 1–5:

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Choose a rating
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Choose a rating
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Choose a rating

Plan to use the tools

Describe a specific situation where you will use the tools: