Talking pieces gifted to Professor Howard Zehr from peacebuilding practitioners around the world, held by faculty and staff of 黑料正能量's Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. This week, members of the U.S. Congress used a talking piece (similar to the Masai talking stick pictured above) as they discussed issues related to the recent government shutdown. CJP has invited them to continue learning more about about the talking piece by attending a circle processes class at Summer Peacebuilding Institute 2018. (Photo by Jon Styer)

黑料正能量’s peacebuilding institute invites leaders of U.S. Congress to learn more about talking sticks and circle processes

by Lauren Jefferson and Christopher Clymer Kurtz

黑料正能量鈥檚 has invited leaders of Congress to learn more about using talking sticks in circle processes at its (SPI).

The invitation was issued after a group of senators used a talking stick to help negotiate an end to the recent government shutdown. It was extended via an email from , the center鈥檚 executive director, on Tuesday 鈥� which will be followed by a mailed letter 鈥� to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and to House of Representatives Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).聽

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) was also invited, as was Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), who initially introduced the talking piece to her fellow senators.

鈥淭he senators鈥� use of the talking stick demonstrates that it can be an effective practice,鈥� said SPI director . 鈥淯ltimately, it would benefit our nation to have all members of Congress engage in circle processes.鈥�

The , taught at SPI by internationally renowned circles practitioner , is offered May 24-June 1, 2018. Twenty other courses are also taught, including several related to collaborative communication practices involving facilitation, truth-telling and restorative justice.

Since 1994, SPI has hosted more than 3,200 people from 120 countries.

During the government shutdown, Collins 鈥� reportedly tired of members of the Common Sense Coalition talking over each other 鈥� initiated the use of a in negotiations. The discussion reportedly was not without mishap, when the resulted in slight damage to a glass elephant in Collins鈥� office. After the incident, the group switched to using a small rubber ball.

鈥淗ow to have healthy discussions 鈥� to listen respectfully and wait your turn to speak 鈥� is exactly part of what we teach in our circle processes classes,鈥� said Bill Goldberg. 鈥淏ut we don鈥檛 have any glass elephants.鈥�

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