Regenerative communication

Regenerative communication is a process-oriented whole systems approach to communication. The term "regenerative" describes processes that restores their own sources of energy, through resilient practices that integrate the needs of society with the integrity of nature. Regenerative communication restores our connection to humanity and nature, taking responsibility for our roles in co-creating a regenerative society.

Foundational practices

Restorative practice

Restorative practice is a social science that studies how to improve and repair relationships between people and communities. The purpose is to build healthy communities, increase social capital, decrease crime and antisocial behavior, repair harm and restore relationships. It ties together research in a variety of social science fields, including education, psychology, social work, criminology, sociology, organizational development and leadership. learning and decision making.

Nonviolent communication

Nonviolent communication (NVC) is an approach to communication based on principles of nonviolence. It is not a technique to end disagreements, but rather a method designed to increase empathy and improve the quality of life of those who utilize the method and the people around them. Nonviolent communication evolved from concepts used in person-centered therapy, and was developed by clinical psychologist Marshall Rosenberg beginning in the 1960s and 1970s. There is a large ecosystem of workshops and clinical and self-help materials about NVC. Rosenberg's book Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, popular as a self-help book and psychotherapy textbook, is considered the authoritative text about the concept.

Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution is conceptualized as the methods and processes involved in facilitating the peaceful ending of conflict and retribution. Committed group members attempt to resolve group conflicts by actively communicating information about their conflicting motives or ideologies to the rest of group (e.g., intentions; reasons for holding certain beliefs) and by engaging in collective negotiation. Dimensions of resolution typically parallel the dimensions of conflict in the way the conflict is processed. Cognitive resolution is the way disputants understand and view the conflict, with beliefs, perspectives, understandings and attitudes. Emotional resolution is in the way disputants feel about a conflict, the emotional energy. Behavioral resolution is reflective of how the disputants act, their behavior. Ultimately a wide range of methods and procedures for addressing conflict exist, including negotiation, mediation, mediation-arbitration, diplomacy, and creative peace building.

Community conferencing

Community conferencing is a voluntary one-time circle process that includes everyone involved in and affected by an incident, crime, or conflict, and their respective support networks. A trained, invested facilitator brings everyone together to provide a space and structure for people in conflict to have a dialogue with each other. Being invested simply means that while the facilitator doesn’t take a side in matters, they have everyone’s well-being in mind during the conferencing process. Each person has a voice, and everyone collectively decides how to make things right and prevent a conflict from happening again. Participants have a chance to heal and learn from the incident, and everyone decides how to be accountable to one another. Here’s how community conferencing works in these types of conflicts:

Basic training

12 participants in SEEDS will be trained in regenerative communication through a one-year program known as the Dialogue Road Map facilitated by Maria Arpa. Maria was recently the executive director of the Center for Nonviolent Communication. The video is from a recent conversation where she talks about the origin of her work, and what it takes to implement in a community:

The commitment for the basic training is: April 7, 11, 14, 18 from 3-7pm UTC, at no cost. This is essentially for those looking to be trained as a certified mediation counselor, and these graduates will be a foundation from which we develop a caring-based culture in SEEDS, not to mention a practical conflict resolution program.

Join this Telegram group if you're interested in participating.

Facilitator training

The ability to train others requires completion of a year-long program, which is currently seeking sponsors to finance:

• 20 total days (5 hours a day) in a year. This is 100 total hours in a year, facilitated 2-3 days at a time, 6 times a year.
• 4 hours/month practice with fellow participants.

Join this Telegram group if you're interested in participating.