Interculturalism and power (fundamentals of systemics) (1/4)

Aims of this course

• Understand the specificities of the group and my relation to the group.
• Take on cultural diversity (between countries, social classes, professions, genders, etc.): notice, move from a hindrance to a source of wealth.
• Understand the power dynamics that exist in any inter-individual or inter-group relationship: observe, move from power over/under to power of/with.

Content

1. How I relate to a group

• THE GROUP AND I: The group, a living entity; Individual-group porosity; Me in the group.
• Interdependence: Dependence, independence, autonomy, interdependence: in everyday life and in our societies
• WHERE MY SOCIAL ACTION COMES FROM: Fear, grief and trust

2. Understanding my group identities and the diversity of cultures

• UNDERSTANDING THE DIVERSITY OF PERSPECTIVES
• GETTING OUT OF CENTRISM: Ethno-, socio-, anthropo-centrism and interdependence
• DIVERSITY, UNIVERSALITY and VIOLENCE

3. Breaking free from stereotypes and images of enemy

• 4 ways of listening to a message without and with a focus on systems
• Building and breaking stereotypes
• Self-empathy and systemic empathy
• Interacting while taking into account our group identities

4. Moving from power over/under to power with/of

• Steps for recreating an equitable and authentic relationship
• Systemic Empathic Listening (SEL) and the ally posture

5. My next steps

• Tools for targeting my actions
• Sources of inspiration

This course is part of the NVC inner, social and environmental transitions curriculum. We recommend that you start with this course.

Additional content for courses aimed at instructors

Throughout the course, participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, assess their own awareness, and evaluate their composure in relation to:

• various forms of diversity (social class, gender, skin colour, religion, disability, neuroatypicality, age, etc.)
• power imbalances

On the last day and building on this process, participants will be encouraged  to develop an awareness of teaching methods that respect differences:

Taking differences within a group into account as a instructor

• Knowing how to assess one’s own ability to embrace differences whilst ensuring a safe environment within the group
• Identifying a group’s composition
• Establishing group agreements that take diversity and equity into account
• Before, during and after the training: key elements to consider
• The core concepts of social systems theory that can be conveyed through NVC (conditions for dialogue, needs and social positions, etc.)