January 2009
Sample guidelines for the facilitators in the Intergroup Dialogue program at
Queen’s University: “A derogatory term is posted on a floor, or is expressed in
an interaction or while a joke is being told. The intergroup facilitator (IF)
identifies the student who used the offending term and prepares to visit with
the resident. The IF approaches the student in a friendly, non-confrontational,
non-judgmental and open manner. After introductions, the IF broaches the topic
with the resident and asks if they can chat about the incident. The IF might
share their impact and inquire about the perspective of the student with respect
to the use of the term. The two would ideally engage in a respectful and
educational dialogue and the IF would gently challenge thinking if necessary.
The IF will ask questions and use their communication skills to help the
individual relate to the experience of marginalization or exclusion that comes
from being the target of such derogatory terminology. The IF will end the
conversation on a positive note or with an open invitation to discuss further.”
National Post, November 19, 2008.
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