Sitting Together Melbourne

FAQs

• Why are we sitting together?

  Sitting Together is a gathering for honest conversations about challenging issues connected to the Middle East.

  The purpose is to create a space where people can express what is important to them, be heard, listen to others and hopefully come away with a deeper understanding of themselves and one another.

  Hot topics are welcome.

  We have clear conversation guidelines in place to help create as brave, supportive and constructive a space as possible.

• What is the aim of Sitting Together?

  We hope these conversations can help us:

  • understand ourselves and others more deeply

  • practise having meaningful conversations without them becoming divisive

  • sit with difference

  • build relationships across different backgrounds, experiences and views

  • create a stronger community of people committed to peace and justice

• What can I expect on the day?

  Our conversation will focus primarily on the heart.

  That means listening deeply, sharing honestly and exploring not only what we think, but how these issues affect us and why they matter to us.

  There is no expectation that you speak, have the right words or arrive with a fully formed position.

  You can share as much or as little as feels right. You can also choose to pass.

• How will we sit together?

  1. A facilitator will guide the conversation

  An impartial facilitator will be present to guide the conversation.

  Their role is to protect the process and help make sure everyone has the opportunity to be heard.

  That may mean asking someone to pause, slowing the conversation down, redirecting discussion, inviting silence or stepping in when the conversation is no longer constructive.

  By joining Sitting Together, we agree to respect the facilitator’s guidance in holding the conversation.

  2. Everyone will have the opportunity to share

  Each person will be invited to speak about what is on their mind and, if they wish:

  • something about their background or experience

  • what feels important to them

  • what they are struggling with, questioning or finding difficult

  • what has shaped the views or perspectives they hold

  You can share as much or as little as feels right. You can also choose to pass.

  3. We will listen without responding

  We will use a talking stick. Only the person holding it speaks.

  Everyone else listens without interrupting, questioning or responding.

  This is intentional. It gives us time to absorb what we have heard, notice our own reactions and resist the urge to respond immediately.

  4. We will explore what we have heard

  Once everyone has had an opportunity to share, there will be space to return to things that have come up in the room.

  This is where we can ask questions, explore differences and better understand what someone meant.

  The intention is curiosity and understanding, rather than rebuttal.

• What are the gathering expectations?

  Everyone who attends Sitting Together will be asked to acknowledge our Conversation Agreement before participating.

  These expectations cover:

  • entering the space in good faith

  • respecting the privacy of the room

  • speaking from your own experience

  • treating the gathering as a conversation, not a debate

  • respecting the role of the facilitator

  • helping protect the wellbeing of the group

  If you’re interested in reading more about how the conversation will work, you can view it here