Homelessness : breaking the silence! : facilitated intergroup dialogue in Maltese communities

Abstract

Intergroup dialogue (IGD) is a pedagogical approach that involves sustained and facilitated dialogue between individuals from different societal groups that tend to share a history of intergroup conflict (Dessel et al., 2006). The study aimed to explore if IGD contributes to the awareness, empowerment and overall personal transformative change of individuals experiencing homelessness and others who are not. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate whether sustained IGD is an effective pedagogical tool for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the community. This qualitative study employed a participatory action research approach, where seven adult participants came together for twelve hours of IGD in a community-based setting. Data was collected through online pre- and post- focus groups, conducted with each societal group, and also through the researcher’s diary which brought the facilitator’s observations and insight on the experience and process of IGD. The findings show that IGD can affect positively the participants’ and the facilitator’s cognitive, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, and bring about empowerment and behavioural change. However, less positive outcomes were also recorded, especially that of disempowerment to engage in action on an individual level, after becoming more aware of the complex reality. Results seem to indicate that the IGD process and outcomes of both the participants and the facilitator reflect ESD principles at different levels and thus, could serve as a tool for ESD and contribute to the general aims of ESD. Several recommendations are proposed to multiple stakeholders to prioritize ESD beyond the formal schooling through the integration of IGD into adult education, and community learning and development.