Cafe Topics

What are good topics for XR Empathy Cafes?

Topic: (not sure of what topics, are needed, are of interest or would be most effective?) I would like to hear ideas of what would be an effective topic.

Possible Topics:

1. How might we constructively address and transform conflict in Extinction Rebellion?

2. How might we use empathy circles to address conflicts over strategies?

3. Empathy Circles to support people who have been arrested.

4. How are you doing, what sort of support to you need, etc?

1. Proposal: How might we constructively address and transform conflict in Extinction Rebellion?

I had some ideas from taking part in your Exploring Conflict Call yesterday.

Hosted by XR Conflict Resilience and Restorative Systems

What if we held a weekly Empathy Café series to address conflict in XR?

We would use the Empathy Café structure:

• 1. Quick introductions (name, location, XR group)

• 2. Short explanation of the empathy circle practice. http://j.mp/HowToEmpathy

• 3. Divide into Empathy Circles of 4 or 5 people, with a facilitator in each.

• Talk about the topic.

• 4. 15 min before end, come together and do a round to discuss the experience.

Some Benefits of this

• 1. Using empathic listening (active listening), is a way to learn and practice the skill and mindset.

• 2. The call would be recorded and posted to YouTube and Facebook. This way people can also learn the practice by watching the video.

• 3. This is a gateway practice to other more detailed practices like restorative circles, mediation practices, etc.

What ideas does XR community have for topics:

Tony “ I'm hearing requests for conflict resolution techniques.

Currently in the UK, we have a conflict over strategy. Many conflicts are over strategy, so particular strategies can be effective topics, but the circles need to be held well.

It's not difficult to find topics.I find the challenge is more about how to frame the topic. Effective topics are anything that concerns most people in XR, especially when there are different approaches or understandings.

Topics can be related to any of our demands,

• Principles or values.

• Examples might be

  • NVDA (Non Violent Direct Action),

  • Arrests,

  • legal concerns,

  • individual efforts to care for the environment (eg. veganism, recycling),

  • XR efforts to care for the environment (policies/practices),

  • Nonviolent Culture,

  • issues regarding gender relations,

  • diversity/inclusion,

  • money matters,

  • dealing with the media,

  • climate science,

  • problems,

  • Questions…

  • the kind of things that people post on Facebook! “

Open Shared: Topics: XR Empathy Circle Work Group