The Concept of a Relationship
Sustained Dialogue is a process that focuses very heavily on relationships.  As Dr. Saunders puts it, "There are some things only governments can do, like sign peace treaties; but there are some things only citizens can do, like establish true lasting peace on the ground."
 
This sort of true and lasting peace, we believe, can only happen through the reformation of broken relationships damaged by mistrust, misperception, and hurtful past experiences.
 
What is it that REALLY lies at the root of all the tension of our communities? In our experience, it is a strained relationship.  The box below contains Dr. Saunders' definition of the five components of a relationship.  It is this lens that we use to probe the problems and conflicts that are affecting students, faculty, staff, and administrators at schools across the country.
 
 RELATIONSHIP MODEL

Dr. Saunder's Concept of a Relationship defines 5 key components:


1. Identity- How individuals define their physical and human characteristics; the sum of all experiences that leads a person to the present

Physical Identity: race, gender
Human Identity: ethnicity, occupation, life experiences

2. Interests- What individuals want and care about; what they are willing to die for

3. Power- The capacity of individuals to control resources and influence the course of events

4. Perceptions/Misperceptions/Stereotypes- How individuals and groups view one another; assumptions about others’
identity, interests, and power

5. Patterns of Interaction- How individuals and groups interact--positively, negatively, or not at all.


Morgan Mirth
Moderator
School: Dickinson
Year: 2007
Major: Neuroscience, with a Pre-Health focus
"Sustained Dialogue has challenged me to step out of the boundaries set by my own surface assumptions about other people. I have become comfortable talking about issues of race, gender, religion, and the relationships that are encompassed by these issues. Without Sustained Dialogue it would have taken me many more years to arrive where I am today. It has been an amazing experience, and has only fueled my determination in creating an environment where issues can be discussed at the dinner table rather than swept under the rug."


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