‘Listening Sessions’: A Consultation Technique that Embraces Conflict to Address Issues of Social Justice and Assist Individuals to Reengage in the Life of their Community

Fuller A¹*

1. Carpentaria Shire Council, Normanton, Queensland, Australia

Located in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Normanton has a population of 1,500 people of which 62% are Indigenous and form three traditional Aboriginal tribal groups, Kukatja, Gkuthaarn and Kurtijar. Recently, a local government engagement process has sought to address issues of social justice through the development of mutual awareness, understandings and by empowering community voices that have traditionally not been recognised. The process aims include fostering trust; sensitively identify issues of community concern and developing an inclusive community action plan.

In acknowledging traditional consultative methods would not be accepted and in response to cultural, organisational and tribal conflict, Council developed ‘Listening Sessions’ based on conflict transformation theory, principles of social and restorative justice and narrative therapy. This multi-dimensional and deeply reflective process acknowledges the interrelationship among issues of personal history, social structures and cultural belief systems by encouraging participants to explore feelings about their community and issues that continue to obstruct their engagement in the life of the community.

Through engaging organisational leaders, grass-roots leaders and community members, ‘Listening Sessions’ have not only built relationships and informed planning process, but in holding facilitators accountable, engendered the valuable community commodity of trust. Now recognised as method for externalising personal issues and raising awareness of community needs without fear of retribution, the technique has renewed optimism and developed greater understanding between Council and the community.

The paper will explain the rationale of ‘Listening Sessions’ and provide details on its theoretical foundations, a recommended series of guidelines and a practical methodology for replication.