Norms are fluid and are often constructed by each group. Below are some common norms from Intergroup Dialogue:
We commit to confidentiality. What’s learned here leaves here, what’s shared here stays here. Help create a brave space where people can honestly engage and stay in this space.
Our primary commitment is to learn from each other. We will listen to each other and not talk at each other to prepare us to help raise our awareness and understanding of differences and similarities through this process.
Expect and accept a lack of closure. This is the start of a conversation. We will be challenging assumptions and pushing ourselves to think in ways we may not be used to, which may leave us with lingering questions and thoughts.
Monitor your airtime. Be mindful of taking up more space than others. On the same note, empower yourself to speak up when others are dominating the conversation.
We will work with awareness of status differences within this workshop. We recognize that there may be significant differences in position and power among participants. We understand that we learn when we are vulnerable and that we respect the limits people set for themselves on what they want to disclose.
When we challenge, we challenge the idea, not the person. We will not demean, devalue, or “put down” people for their experiences, lack of experiences or difference in interpretation of those experiences.
We will trust that people are always doing the best they can and we are all co-learners. We recognize that it is very likely that we have learned misinformation about our own group and members of other groups. We will hold ourselves and others responsible for repeating misinformation or offensive behavior after we have learned otherwise.