Gender dialogue and female-only sessions

Out of specific requests and/or opportunities which have developed through the course of his work, David has been asked to deliver co-ed sessions and female-only sessions, on the topic of gender.

Gender dialogue sessions

David’s gender dialogue sessions are transformational opportunities featuring exchanges at a level of honesty and integrity that do not functionally exist between the genders on any sizable current cultural scale. His design and facilitation of gender dialogues ensure equity in terms of focus on the groups’ desired themes, allotment of presentation/speaking time, and creative opportunities for group and self-expression. He often co-facilitates such dialogues with a female facilitator and enjoys this balance of teaching.

In turns fragile, forceful, awkward, deeply moving, and joyful, these sessions blur and erase our notions of gender differences, while unearthing our shared humanity. David’s gender dialogues provide safe space for heart-felt expressions of our deep curiosity, pain, and love for one another, and thus generate healing for our gender role wounds. His gender dialogues are highly valued by their participants for their offering of a unique and rare opportunity to express strongly-held feelings and stories in a peaceful and respectful environment.

Gender dialogue sessions has been recently presented at:

• Ampersand Conference, McGill University, Montreal, 2009
• Lester Pearson United World College, BC, Youth Seminar on Youth Leadership, 2005-2009
• The Naramata Centre, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2009
• Conflict Transformation and Peace Building - a 6 day residential program of Lester Pearson College, held in Canada and Costa Rica, 2006, 2007
• King George Secondary School, 2006
• SEED Alternate Secondary School, Toronto, 2005
• VAST Alternate School, Port Alberni, BC, 2005

• Power of Hope, 2003
  
  Upcoming:
  The Gender Jargon Workshop - Port Alberni, BC, Nov 20-21. 
  Co- facilitated with Jennifer Scharf.  See Jennifer's site:  www.creativegeneration.ca
  Sponsored by North Island Community College and Starbucks.
  Registration and further info: 250-731-8456
  

Female-only sessions

David’s female-only work mirrors the respect, compassion, and themes of his Catalyst program for males. He recognizes that a female educator is better able to address the life experiences of females. Recognizing how few men have had the opportunity to work with a female group, he deeply values the insights gained from such experiences and how he is better able to bring female voices into his work with boys and men. As a male educator, David offers females a male perspective informed by his own personal experience and the voices of the thousands of boys and men he has shared stories with professionally. Such female sessions are rare and are considered professional highlights which better allow him to act as a well-informed link between the genders.