A Year of Civil Conversations Reflection: Leading by Example | by Rachel Frome

By -
  At 15 years of operation, Interfaith Philadelphia is a leader in the nonprofit industry. Our organization has been implementing surveys in order to evaluate the effectiveness of programs. Program evaluation is an area where most interfaith programs struggle; it is difficult to measure the impact of dialogue. Researchers such as Renee Garfinkel (2004) and Reina Neufeldt (2011) began the conversation about best practices regarding interfaith program evaluations. Garfinkel noted that interfaith dialogues themselves may not prevent conflict, but they can change attitudes that may promote peace in the future. Garfinkel (2004) evaluated interfaith dialogue with a conflict resolution framework. She noted that it can oftentimes be difficult to measure the impact of changes in attitude or behavior. In this way, Interfaith Philadelphia is a leader in the efforts to evaluate our impact, particularly during this special Year of Civil Conversations.


Interfaith Philadelphia has been offering A Year of Civil Conversations in order to challenge the divisive nature of today's public discourse. A Year of Civil Conversations is a conversations based initiative in partnership with Krista Tippett’s Civil Conversations Project. Tippett, radio host of On Being and Becoming Wise, began the Civil Conversations Project to promote civil discourse nationwide. The year has included training events to prepare local leaders to lead their own local conversations and a series of live events, in partnership with WHYY, University of Pennsylvania, the National Constitution Center, and New Conversations on Race and Ethnicity. These live events model civil conversations to the public. So far, 97% of our participants think the conversation promoted understanding among individuals and communities in the region. This year’s programming recently culminated with the presentation of Interfaith Philadelphia's Dare to Understand Award to Krista Tippett. In addition, for the first time ever, Tippett recorded On Being live in Philadelphia! Interfaith Philadelphia hopes to collectively re-imagine what it means to communicate our world-views and beliefs passionately, while listening deeply and respecting fully.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

10 Tips for Interfaith Dialogue

By -
Image
Interfaith dialogue can be a meaningful and enriching experience, allowing people of different beliefs and backgrounds to come together in conversation and understanding. However, at times it can also be challenging and uncomfortable.  To foster respectful dialogue, it's essential to approach conversations with an open and curious mindset.  Here are ten ways to be mindful in interfaith dialogue. Practicing these techniques can create a more compassionate and empathetic discussion that celebrates differences and promotes greater understanding. 1. BE CURIOUS: Ask questions with the intent to learn rather than from a place of judgment.  2. LEARN THE DETAILS: Ask questions like “What is the greeting you say with this holiday?” 3. ACKNOWLEDGE MISTAKES WHEN THEY HAPPEN: Mistakes are bound to happen; we are only human. Be sure to acknowledge them and apologize for any harm done.  4. ASK FOR PERMISSION: Say things like “Would you mind if I asked you about…” 5. BE WILLING TO SAY SOMETHI
Read more

Offering Support, Resources and Navigating Conversations in Time of Conflict

By -
Image
Today, our society needs dialogue and understanding more than ever. Because of this, we have worked tirelessly to unite people to stay in relationships and listen with compassion. Over the past two months, we have gotten requests from and worked with numerous individuals, organizations, and communities to help meet their needs in response to the crisis in Israel and Gaza. Here are just a few examples:  Interfaith Leadership Interfaith Philadelphia’s Board of Directors and the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia directed their attention to this crisis at their fall meetings. Demonstrating the importance of having tables that foster ongoing relationships, each of these bodies asked its members to share the following: What are you holding? How is this impacting you and your communities?  What kind of support do you need?   We learned how alone leaders felt when they did not hear from their interfaith colleagues after October 7th, and how the simplest gesture of a call
Read more

Religious Literacy Participants Go Live with Iftar Dinner

By -
Image
During our virtual Spring session of  Build Religious Literacy: A Window into Your Neighbors' Faith ,  participants delved into the vibrant tapestry of various faith traditions, gaining valuable insights into the lived experiences of others.  Inspired by the thought-provoking conversations that unfolded during the program, eight of the participants decided to gather in person for a live Iftar dinner —an occasion deeply cherished by Muslims during the month of Ramadan as they break their fast after sunset. The students represented a diverse range of faith backgrounds, including Muslims and Christians of several denominations such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Swedenborgian. Stimulating topics were explored, challenging and inspiring all those present and igniting a sense of connection and understanding. The engagement and camaraderie displayed during the program and the subsequent Iftar dinner are a testament to the lasting impact of our   Leadership Institu
Read more