The Otherness Lab

A 2 day non-residential retreat in London with OpenEdge - Transforming Conflict How we relate to difference is key to how we move forward in the world. Using our own, every-day examples we reflect on our experiences in 'mainstreams' and 'margins', how and why they arise, how we understand them, and how we are impacted in ourselves and in our relationships with each other. we consider the costs to us personally and collectively when we do not explicitly and proactively give attention to 'othering' in all our endeavours. We reflect on the impacts and continuation of historic norms of othering in our societies, communities and groups, as well as how unconsciously reproducing division and separation in our current endeavours to bring change, stops us creating the very future we long for, no matter how well intentioned we are. We work in ways that re-connect us beyond 'them and us’, beyond centring our own or one particular experience of life …beyond reproducing otherness. In the Lab we also explore the confusion, disconnection and challenges that can arise when trying to have conversations about diversity and inclusion, power and privilege in our communities and organisations. We embody positivity and enthusiasm to embrace discomfort and experiences that may be different to our own. We value this kind of space as an exciting possibility for profound connection and transformation. We invite you to reach for your honest, courageous, reflective self, put on your systemic goggles, break the violence cycle, get beyond the myth of separation, find your dynamic shared identities, and walk towards 'the other' with OpenEdge's experienced team of scholar-practitioner-explorers! Through participatory activities for connection, reflection and learning, we focus on key themes such as

• the tragedy of how we have learned to engage with difference and diversity
• how equity and inclusion serves everyone
• power-with and power-over relations
• dominant, centralised perspectives and experiences
• unconsciously creating outliers and 'others'
• the intrinsic link between systemic norms and personal behaviours
• the spectrum of privilege and marginalisation
• the neurobiology of oppression
• connecting political, social, personal, emotional, and physical experiences
• untold storytelling and multiple social truths
• beyond reductionism to plural identities
• beyond moralistic judgments of self and others
• experiencing interdependency of human needs
• experiencing 'difference' as enriching
• integrating concepts, emotions, experiences, personal capacity and skills into embodied action
• liberation and new choice in engaging with difference, inclusion, equity and justice

We ask for a deposit on booking of £75 and will invite further contributions on the last day of the event in a suggested range totalling £125-£375 (including the deposit) AND this is only a request to meet our sustainability and costs, we invite contributions outside this range.  Eg you want to come and the request feels too much of a stretch right now - come and contribute what you can willingly. OR if you want to support the work of our charity we welcome greater contributions! Book via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/open-edge-transforming-conflict-10880323837