Introduction to Dialogue

Dialogue is the key to increasing understanding, trust, and creativity in all human communities.

In dialogical conversation human beings can sustain their vital ability to learn from one another. The kind of learning that occurs in dialogue is a constantly developing understanding of the world’s phenomena, other people, and oneself. It brings with it various valuable things. Dialogue builds reciprocal trust between individuals that makes co-existence safe and smooth. Through dialogue we can also creatively deal with complex problems and develop the new ideas required to solve them. In addition, dialogical conversations enliven the most fundamental values of democracy: equality and liberty.

On a very fundamental level, dialogue is not a mechanical skill that we can acquire in the same way as we learn to swim, cycle, or play chess. The art of dialogue always relies on personal ethical attitude. This attitude is based on a sound faith in the uniqueness of each individual human being and the value that comes with it. Every person has their distinctive perspective on the world that nobody can replace. For this reason, each of us holds a certain point of view on reality that does not appear to anybody else.

Dialogue can be used successfully in

- Business and management of organizations

- Community engagement work in municipalities

- Daycare centers, schools, and educational institutions

- Youth work

- Social work

- Health care and psychotherapy

- Supporting decision-making in government

- Non-governmental organizations

- Civil society conversations

In Finland, innovative work has been done in dialogue for over 40 years. A strong "dialogue movement" has grown up around dialogue, in which professionals from many different fields have used dialogue to transform their work. Dialogue Academy is a leading developer of dialogue in Finland and internationally. We have trained and coached hundreds of organizations to use dialogue in their work. We bring together people who want to promote dialogue, democracy and ecological sustainability. Our work on dialogue is based on solid academic research and we have served hundreds of organisations and thousands of individuals in Finland and around the world. Dialogue Academy is part of Aretai Ltd and based Helsinki, Finland.

In the Introduction to Dialogue course you will learn about dialogue under the guidance of philosopher Kai Alhanen, director of the Dialogue Academy and dialogue facilitator Donna Roberts. The online course is for anyone interested in dialogue, regardless of their level. It is suitable for those who are new to dialogue, but also offers new perspectives for those who have been involved in dialogue for a long time and for those who have participated in dialogue training in the past. The course includes in a concise video format the basics of dialogue and an introduction to the ethics and politics of dialogue. You will also have access to a sample dialogue on the topic of "Trust".

In addition, professionals from different fields will talk about the importance of dialogue in their own work. You learn of the use of dialogue in

- Filmmaking (Riina Hyytiä, CEO)

- Municipal activities (Olli Toivonen, strategy specialist)

- Schools (Marikki Arnkil, teacher and researcher)

- Government (Katju Holkeri, head of governance policy unit)

- Dance (Jukka Haapalainen and Sirpa Suutari-Jääskö, four-time world champions in Latin ballroom dance)

The visual outlook and art direction of the course is by award winning director Pete Veijalainen.