Figure 2: Key characteristics of a dialogue process (Adapted from CCMT conflict transformation training manual, 2012) 3 Humanity Inclusiveness Learning DIALOGUE Sustained over time Ownership Characteristics of dialogue Izandla ziyagezana (Ndebele idiom meaning: ‘One needs to work in a team in order to achieve set goals; a lone ranger achieves less.’) Theoretical input: Characteristics of a sustained-dialogue process Table 5: Essential characteristics of the sustained-dialogue process Principle Characteristic What to do Inclusiveness • People who are part of a problem situation should be involved or represented in the dialogue process. • Include everyone affected by the problem or ensure that every critical voice is represented. Gaps or perceived differences among participants will inhibit constructive dialoguing. • For solutions to be sustainable, the people in conflict should have a sense of ownership of the problem, of the process of addressing it and of proposed solutions. • Increase in inclusion also means increase in legitimacy of the process. Joint ownership • The process should not be controlled/ dominated by one particular actor, e.g. where one actor invites people to a meeting on an issue but has already decided that it will be a superficial dialogue and that the other stakeholders will not own the issue, the process and the solutions. • Conveners consult parties to the conflict at every stage of the process and, where necessary, make them part of the facilitation team. • Without ownership, change will remain superficial. However, when ownership is assured, people really take issues forward. • Conveners ensure that the principles of the process are well understood before commencing the process. Module 3: Dialogue in community healing • Conveners allocate different roles to the parties in conflict to ensure that they take part at every stage of the process. 37 »