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Canadian governments face growing tensions in policy debate resulting from polarization or fragmentation of views. The IOG’s second Driving Dialogue and Debate Series will introduce participants to a methodology for building shared narratives. Built around the notion of mutual accommodation, a shared narrative is a story that opponents develop together to help them solve difficult policy disputes. It frames or reframes issues in ways that the parties can agree on, despite their differences, and establishes the common ground they need to start a meaningful dialogue and work toward finding an acceptable policy solution.
The IOG’s Dialogue and Debate Series will analyze four topics that are timely and important to the government, where getting agreement on a path forward is a challenge. With each topic, participants will explore how the key narratives in play affect policy development, social cohesion and polarization. We will introduce a methodology to develop shared narratives, and provide participants with the concepts and skills they need to begin putting the methodology into practice.
Through this approach participants will learn how to:
- frame an issue to identify common ground
- start a meaningful dialogue to work toward solutions
- build this understanding into the policy development process
- employ new tools for consultations and communications
If you followed our 2020 Driving Dialogue and Debate series, you can read the findings report here.
Session Format:
Each session will be broken down into two parts:
Part A - Debate - 9:00AM - 11:00AM
Part B - Dialogue/Learning Session – 11:00AM -12:30pm
Session Dates and Topics
Tuesday, February 23rd
What Happens after the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Wednesday, March 24th
Affordable Housing: The Path to a National Housing Strategy
Tuesday, April 27th
The Canadian Story of ‘Canada in the World’
Wednesday, May 26th
Systemic Racism – Building a Shared Understanding
To learn more about this project, please contact Brad Graham by email at bgraham@iog.ca or by phone at 416 300-6083.