Brave Dialogues - an equipping workshop for a polarised world POSTPONED

Brave Dialogues Workshops have been postponed until further notice
Please register your interest by emailing weavingempathy@gmail.com

Brave Dialogues Workshops

Living in a complex and polarised world where we need to disagree agreeably and still be neighbours, friends and colleagues. Due to the diversity of our cities, we have different perspectives on many things but there are skills that will help us live well together - seeking common ground on which to stand. 

Join us for transformative conversations, interactive activities, and skill-based learning to foster empathy, navigate differences, and strengthen community cohesion in today's polarised climate. Together, we reclaim our power to connect authentically and make a difference. Topics include listening and speaking with empathy, responding to emotions, self-care, and building robust connections.

Brought to you by Weaving Empathy, facilitated by Chris De La Mare, Elaine Dyer and Mark James from Jade Speaks Up Educational Trust.

Facilitator Profiles:

Chris de la Mare
"I have served in education for 19 years with 10 of those years in educational leadership.  I am a professionally qualified and experienced coach and consultant with a passion for supporting people to develop and maintain positive relationships.  I have trained teachers, parents and community members in relationship based approaches to teaching, parenting and ways of working together."

Elaine Dyer
Co Founder of Jade Speaks Up Educational Trust
“ I have been passionate about exploring alternatives to violence most of my working life, locally, nationally and internationally. By exploring the roots of our responses in safe dialogue, I have seen transformation take place in prisons, classrooms, communities and conference halls. I have developed experiential educational programmes for adults and children. I also conduct facilitator training and supervision sessions. “

Dr. Mark James Hamilton,
Certs. Psychother, Anat., Te Reo; BA Hons; PGCHE; MPhil; PhD.
"Over the last three decades, I have worked in diverse learning, community and arts facilitation roles. My special interest is supporting intercultural collaborations —working with creatives, students and educators. I have worked in interdisciplinary teams to shape spaces and nurture activities to allow diverse perspectives to meet and interweave. l enjoy working with people of all ages and value life-long learning.”

By purchasing a ticket to Brave Dialogues

- You agree to being photographed and filmed for future promotion of Weaving Empathy events. 
  You are able to opt out, please let the event organisers know.
- You agree to the following Code of Conduct


About Weaving Empathy

Weaving Empathy is a grassroots initiative to nurture empathy and social cohesion for safer communities in Aotearoa, New Zealand. This is achieved through engagements with communities through different events and workshops.

- Brave Dialogue workshops: Participants will be equipped to communicate effectively on challenging topics that otherwise polarise people. 

- Meals Together events: Share a meal with people you might not sit down with in the normal course of the events of your life. When we know each other, we are more generous in considering opinions and perspectives and appreciating lived experience. 

This is an initiative of the Religious Diversity Centre in partnership with The Ministry of Ethnic Communities.

Watch for additional workshop dates to be announced