I have heard it many times that people in Iran have an oral culture and tradition; which means that messages are mostly transmitted in speech or songs, and will takes various forms of sayings, folktales, chants, etc. It also means that they talk but the do not write; however it seems people do not listen too.
In our workshops in various Tehran communities (mahalah), we had to encourage an dynamic dialogue on major problems among people living in a community. People, especially women and the members of local councils, loved such 2-3 hour meetings since they had a chance to talk about their own problems in presence of neighboring individuals; we found that people do not tend to listen. We, as facilitators, were there to encourage "dialogue". Dialogue means a process of talking and listening. Of course, when we are talking about listening, it is mostly active listening. As an active listener, he or she should be able to repeat back in his/her own words what he/she has been told (or what she/her has heard). This does not mean the listener agrees with what she/he has been told, but rather understands what others are mentioning. In fact, active listening - as a part of dialogue - improves mutual understanding in a community.
To be able to encourage "listening" in our project in Tehran communities, we used the five following techniques:
In our workshops in various Tehran communities (mahalah), we had to encourage an dynamic dialogue on major problems among people living in a community. People, especially women and the members of local councils, loved such 2-3 hour meetings since they had a chance to talk about their own problems in presence of neighboring individuals; we found that people do not tend to listen. We, as facilitators, were there to encourage "dialogue". Dialogue means a process of talking and listening. Of course, when we are talking about listening, it is mostly active listening. As an active listener, he or she should be able to repeat back in his/her own words what he/she has been told (or what she/her has heard). This does not mean the listener agrees with what she/he has been told, but rather understands what others are mentioning. In fact, active listening - as a part of dialogue - improves mutual understanding in a community.
To be able to encourage "listening" in our project in Tehran communities, we used the five following techniques:
- Before the meeting starts, the facilitators remind the participants that they have two ears but one mouth. It is better to listen twice than they talk.
- The facilitator reminds people to listen carefully what others mention and not to refer to anything repeated during the brainstorming.
- Creating a pause either through paraphrasing or repeating, would help the participants to actively listen and think about the comments.
- The facilitators have to use the same language as people using, and to avoid expertise and literary words. People may listen better to a familiar language.
- The facilitators will mention the fact that we are here not to judge but to understand what exactly people think about their own priorities in community.
