BBC, British Council to Collaborate on 'Deep Listening' Project in Lebanon

W460

 

The BBC World Service and the British Council are coming together to run a program in Lebanon in which Lebanese citizens will be virtually trained in "Deep Listening".

 

"This is an established technique for finding common ground with opponents and an approach to difficult conversations that ensures both parties feel fully heard," the British Council said in a statement.

 

"Lebanon is a country with deep-seated divisions and challenges; after the participants are trained they will be matched together to have conversations with those who hold opposing views to their own. The programme isn’t about finding agreement, but about individuals and communities beginning a journey of understanding," the Council explained.

 

"Research has evidenced the enormous power of being heard. When we feel recognised and understood, we can lower our defences, reduce extreme views and be open to other perspectives. When we recognise the humanity across the table, we can start to have a vested interest in the health and welfare of those who are different and recognise what we have in common," the statement said.

 

The project will build upon the British Council’s Young Mediterranean Voices and Active Citizens programs as well as the BBC’s Crossing Divides work.

The British Council will source a set of Lebanese citizens from diverse backgrounds and/or with different beliefs about Lebanon and how to solve its challenges. This will include graduates from the British Council’s programs, as well as BBC News Arabic audiences.

 

Over a period of two weeks, participants will be trained in the practice of deep listening. The course content will be delivered by BBC Crossing Divides’ Emily Kasriel and will be run in collaboration with British Council expertise and facilitation.

 

Prior to the training, participants will have completed a brief questionnaire asking for their views on a range of global, regional and Lebanese-specific topics.

"During the training, there will be opportunities for small groups of 3 or 4 participants to go into breakout rooms. Each participant in their groups will take up the role of ‘speaker, ‘listener’ or ‘observer’ on a rotating cycle basis, allowing them to practice their listening skills from different perspectives," the statememt said.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 3
Missing kazan 27 February 2021, 08:26

Excellent initiative, step forward toward civilisation.
accept and respect that others may have different opinion than you is a must in democracy.

Default-user-icon ADNAN FAKHREDDINE (Guest) 27 February 2021, 19:10

How to participate?

Thumb milou 27 February 2021, 22:40

Yeah right.... the UK need it themselves, their prime ministers don’t last a year each....