Transforming Conflict into Collaboration
In our world today, it can be hard to find spaces and processes where people can come together and listen deeply to each other without judgement, and from there, create change that truly transforms relationships and environments. Transformative Conversations aims to bridge that gap.
Daniela Cohen’s approach
I believe the way a process is conducted is as important as its outcome. I create brave spaces which foster empathetic dialogue among people with different perspectives. I prioritize building relationships based on honesty, respect, trust and mutual accountability. I listen deeply to what a particular individual or organization needs and tailor the design of my services accordingly. I value an overarching structure that guides the direction of projects and also the ability to be able to adapt as contexts and people evolve. I design participatory and inclusive processes to help facilitate individual and organizational transformation. I am committed to engaging in work that creates a more equitable, inclusive world.
The elephant and the spider: Everything is connected to everything else
Once there was an elephant walking in the desert. A spider came along and asked if he could ride on the elephant’s back so he could get to where he was going faster.
“Okay, I’ll do you this favour,” the elephant said.
“I will repay you,” the spider said, and the elephant nodded dubiously.
Later that day, they heard the sound of gunshots. Hunters were coming for the elephant. The spider jumped off the elephant’s back and busied himself covering up the elephant’s tracks in the sand so there was no trace of his direction.
“You saved my life!” The elephant said to the spider. He was ashamed of how he’d doubted him.
The two remained friends.
This story was told to me by an African man and demonstrates the African philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because you are.” We are all interconnected in this world, and it is possible to deepen and strengthen those connections to support all of us on our ongoing journeys.
People Daniela Cohen
Has Worked With
“Daniela worked closely with me in co-designing and co-facilitating diversity and inclusion workshops that we delivered across sectors, for example the North Vancouver RCMP, City of North Vancouver staff, and members from various Boards on the North Shore. Daniela has a breadth of expertise and knowledge in curriculum design and methodology, including various teaching techniques and exercises for diverse participants to gain understanding of diversity and inclusion. As a facilitator, she is cognizant of creating safe space for difficult conversations to occur, and she has strong emotional intelligence and non-violent communication skills, especially when dealing with difficult participants who have internalized bias and systemic racism. I highly recommend working with Daniela.”
-Meharoona Ghani, Community Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist
I’ve had the pleasure to work with Daniela on a number of projects over the past few years. From strategic designing of successful and engaging youth programs to leading workshops and summer youth camps on diversity and inclusion, Daniela has continuously been a backbone of consistency, passion, thoroughness and care in her work with me.
She has a true gift of seeing the value that every voice brings into a conversation. Her felt kindness and curiosity helps create a space where empathy and important conversations can take place. I see her light up when hearing the powerful learning stories from the youth and supporting them to become even more capable leaders in their community. I believe Daniela is doing what she both loves and is gifted at. I would highly recommend her for her gifts of connecting with others and helping their stories be shared with the world.
“Identity and what it means in your classroom”
I am a professor and instructor in the UBC Bachelor of Education program (B.Ed.-Elementary) at the University of British Columbia. As part of my EDUC 452 course ‘Teacher Inquiry,’ I invited Daniela and her colleague to speak to my class of 36 pre-service teachers about the concept of ‘identity’ as it pertains to both teachers and students in our school system. It has been long accepted that understanding oneself is the first step in understanding others (Beauchamp & Thomas, 2019). To this end, Daniela and her colleague conducted a 90-minute workshop with my class that allowed the students to explore and think more deeply about their own subjectivity with respect to the role they play in the classroom and how they interact with the children in their care, all of whom bring different intersecting elements of identity. The workshop was a wonderful opportunity for the students to make explicit and articulate many of their underlying assumptions about identity, and begin to think of ways to enhance diverse students’ sense of belonging in the classroom. Further, the issues raised continued to be a source of discussion long after the workshop. I would strongly recommend the workshops and programs offered by Daniela. Her expertise and experience in the education as well as equity, diversity and inclusion arenas means that Daniela is able to bring a deep sense of commitment, understanding, and sensitivity to this topic.
Connect with Daniela
Phone
+1–778–320–2597
danielacohen50@gmail.com