“Before this program, I never really put myself in other people’s shoes to understand their reality. But this experience taught me how to see things from different perspectives so that we can find solutions together to our shared challenges.”
Jonathan, participant in the Inclusive Dialogue IF Facilitation Certificate Program
Late last year, we wrote about IF Collaborative Discussion Coach Kim Allonce’s work in developing the Inclusive Dialogue Framework, a model designed to help Haitians build trust, resilience, and social cohesion through structured discussions. Working with the close support of the Interactivity Foundation’s Collaborative Discussion Project (CDP), Kim developed a special IF Certificate Program using activities from the free CDP Toolkit to train young leaders in hosting these critical conversations. (See the earlier post here in English, and here in French.)
But what happens when theory turns into practice? In this piece, we hear directly from the participants—students who took part in the training and led their own local “lakou” conversations. (See our first article to learn more about lakou.) Their reflections reveal the transformative power of dialogue, not just in changing perspectives, but in creating safe spaces where even the most difficult issues can be discussed openly.
For Cynthia and Jonathan, this program wasn’t just an opportunity to gain new skills—it fundamentally changed how they engage with others, see their role in their communities, and think about the future of Haiti.
Challenging Assumptions, Building Understanding
For Cynthia, participating in the training revealed something unexpected about herself: “Before, I had a bad habit of seeing myself as the guardian of the ‘right’ answers, as if I held the truth,” she says. “But through this program, I learned to listen more carefully and to respect other people’s perspectives.”
For Jonathan, this shift was particularly profound. His group conversation focused on the death penalty, an issue deeply linked to Haiti’s ongoing security crisis. Before the training, he firmly believed that reinstating capital punishment was a necessary solution to combat crime. But through discussion, his perspective changed:
“At first, I personally supported the idea of reinstating the death penalty, because I have been directly affected by insecurity. At one point, I had to leave my home and move elsewhere for safety. I also lost loved ones due to violence. But after going through this training and hearing the legal perspectives, my opinion changed. I realized that killing criminals will not solve the problem. Through our discussions, I came to understand that the real solution is to strengthen justice and education.”
This kind of transformative learning is at the heart of the CDP’s mission: giving people the tools to engage in meaningful discussions that don’t just reinforce existing positions, but allow for reflection, new insights, and deeper understanding.
“How do we think better together? How does creative, culturally responsive, and critically informed discussions help us to build stronger communities? How might collaborative discussion skills help us to prepare for careers and improve workplace dynamics? How can we discuss better together to solve sticky problems?” —The CDP’s central questions
The Transformative Power of a Safe Space
During their discussions, participants also tackled deeply personal and societal issues, including topics considered taboo in Haiti. Jonathan explains that “we had conversations about gender issues, including subjects that are often taboo in Haiti, such as homosexuality”—but “through our discussions, we were able to find common ground and develop a better understanding of these issues.”
“At first, it wasn’t easy, because these are not topics we typically address in open discussions. But through dialogue, we learned to listen to each other and to analyze together the problems affecting our community.”
For Cynthia, the program changed how she saw difference and diversity in general:
“Through this program, I have become a more tolerant person, more open to accepting others and recognizing our differences. This has changed the way I interact with people and deepened my understanding of the importance of respecting diverse viewpoints.”
This ability to create a space for productive, respectful dialogue is exactly what the Collaborative Discussion Project aims to cultivate. By providing people with the opportunity to learn structured, non-adversarial discussion techniques, the CDP equips them to lead conversations where even sensitive topics can be explored without fear or hostility.
In a country grappling with political instability and security risks, however, just finding a venue and participants required persistence, creativity, and resourcefulness. Cynthia described how she had to navigate logistical hurdles, leveraging personal networks just to make the conversation possible.
“Fortunately, thanks to my colleague who had connections with some organizations, we were able to mobilize participants through a shared network. This same initiative also helped us secure a venue. We really had to rely on our contacts and organizational skills to make this activity happen.”
She describes it as a learning experience, further saying she is “ready to have this personal experience again” and to share what she has learned “in other spaces, whether in my personal or professional activities”.
Dialogue as a Tool for Change
Beyond personal growth, both Cynthia and Jonathan emphasized how crucial these conversations are for Haiti’s future. Cynthia’s conversation focused on juvenile delinquency in Haiti, exploring it from multiple perspectives: causes, potential consequences, and possible solutions. “Insecurity affects all aspects of life in Haiti,” she explains. “You only have to look around: many schools are affected, some metropolitan areas are deeply impacted, and gangs are largely made up of young people.”
“We felt it was crucial to talk about this issue to better understand how we got to this point and what solutions could be implemented, whether at an individual or collective level. Even though we know this problem will not disappear overnight, we can at least try to reduce its impact on young people today.”
Jonathan, meanwhile, spoke about the need to expand this kind of training beyond urban centers, reaching young people in rural communities who have fewer opportunities for structured dialogue.
“Personally, I believe that this training should not stop here. There are so many young people, especially in rural areas, who do not have access to this kind of program but who really need it.”
Their reflections underscore a core belief behind the Collaborative Discussion Project: that the ability to discuss problems openly, reflect critically, and collaborate on solutions is not just a skill—it’s a foundation for democracy, peace, and social progress.
Cynthia reinforces this, adding that “Through this program, I’ve learned that you don’t have to agree with someone, but it is imperative to respect their opinion and avoid attacking them personally. In a country where insecurity and social tensions are increasing, I believe inclusive dialogue is a powerful way to promote peace.”
What Comes Next?
“I want to emphasize how important this initiative is. I sincerely hope that other young people will have the opportunity to benefit from this program, just as I did.”—Cynthia.
The impact of the Inclusive Dialogue IF Facilitation Certificate Program is already clear—but for participants like Cynthia and Jonathan, this is just the beginning. Both emphasized the need to expand these trainings, ensuring that more young people, particularly in rural areas, gain access to the skills and tools that foster open, inclusive dialogue. In a country facing complex social and political challenges, the ability to lead thoughtful, structured discussions isn’t just useful—it’s essential.
“In remote areas, young people are not used to discussing problems collectively to find solutions. If they had access to this training, they could develop dialogue skills and learn how to work together to solve local issues.”—Jonathan
The more people who gain access to these conversations, the greater the potential to build trust, understanding, and real solutions for Haiti’s future. Cynthia and Jonathan hope to go on to lead more discussions, train others, and expand the reach of inclusive dialogue across Haiti.
“Honestly, this training has had a profound impact on me—not just as a person, but on the person I aspire to become,” Cynthia says. “This is the kind of initiative that deserves to be encouraged and continued.”
Your Invitation to Collaborate
The Collaborative Discussion Toolkit is free and accessible to anyone interested in promoting inclusive, thoughtful dialogue. If you’d like to introduce these skills in your own community or learn more about hosting a workshop or specialty Certificate Program, reach out to us.
👉 Start using the free Collaborative Discussion Toolkit
👉 Join a free webinar for an Introduction to the Toolkit, or a workshop to deepen your skills
👉 Attend this year’s online CDP summer training to become a CDP Coach and deliver customized certificate programs like Kim Allonce
👉 Contact us for support running a workshop for your team or group
👉 Subscribe to the Collaborative Discussion Project newsletter for Toolkit activities, tips and tricks every Monday
👉 Donate to the Interactivity Foundation to keep supporting valuable dialogue work and programs
