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“Personal sharing of experiences and history is powerful and cannot be duplicated.”
Conversation Participant
In recognition of the growing need to address the separation between groups based on race, ethnicity, and culture, the Community Conversations program is a nationally acclaimed vehicle for developing community awareness as a forum for issues to be explored and discussed.
The Community Conversations program is based on a national Study Circle model for democratic dialogue. Groups of 8-12 people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds meet once a week for two hours over a 6-week period. Led by trained facilitators, participants follow a set format to explore personal experiences and public policies. The six sessions are designed to move from personal experiences and observations about race relations to strategies for action on an individual, collective and institutional level to improve our communities.
Conversation circles help people build the trusting relationships necessary for long-term change. People from diverse backgrounds and experiences develop trust, understand each other's experiences, and work together on solutions.
Community Conversation guides cover issues on...
- Civil Liberties and Security
- Criminal Justice
- Diversity
- Education Growth and Sprawl
- Immigration
- Neighborhoods and Families
- Police-Community Relations
- Poverty
- Racism
- Student Achievement
- Youth Issues
Community Conversations and events in our community...
On April 7, 2009, Dr. Lee Pachter, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and a pediatrician at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, CT presented his research on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Children's Health: Causes and Solutions on the Campus of Western New England College.
June 6, 2009 A follow-up Community Conversation on Race and Health will take place at Tapestry Health in Springfield Massachusetts. Please contact Judith Barlow-Roberts if you would like to attend.
Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North. Think slavery was only in the South? Think again, watch this powerful movie and talk with the director about slavery in our own state of Connecticut. Screening of Traces of the Trade and community dialogues at the following events:
November 7, 2009 - Christ Church Cathedral.45 Church Street, Hartford. The
The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut scheduled a one-day observance on Nov. 7, 2009 at Christ Church Cathedral, 45 Church Street, Hartford, where the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut will take a monumental step and publicly recognize and repent for its involvement in the institution of transatlantic slavery. The event will include a screening of Traces of the Trade
November 19, 2009 - Sage Park Middle School, Windsor CT. Screening and meet the film maker Katrina Browne at 6:00pm.
On June 3, 2009, the State of Connecticut became the first New England state to apologize for its role in Slavery. The apology took the form of a joint resolution of the state's General Assembly.
The Passage of House Joint Resolution 1
Interested in hosting or attending a Community Conversation?
Contact:
Judith Barlow-Roberts
jroberts@nccjctwma.org
860-683-1039 ext. 105
| This program is the recipient of a 2002 Official Citation issued by the Connecticut State Legislature in recognition of its efforts in eradicating apathy, bias, bigotry and racism in America; and the 2004 recipient of the Windsor Bridge-Builder’s Award for its outstanding contributions to human relations in Windsor, CT. |
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