Specials | World Dialogue Foundation

Foundation

The World Dialogue Foundation (WDF) started as a result of the first "Encounters of Worldviews" conferences that was held in Putten NL, in 2002. Several participants to this conference were determined to develop their knowledge of and skills in Dialogue. Together with Native American Indian Chief Phil Lane jr, they started their training, including the use of the Talking Stick. Furthermore, Marieke de Vrij supported the WDF from the start with inspirations to deepen everyone's understanding of what dialogue truly entails.

Training & Stakeholders

Every Fall, the WDF organises a Dialogue Training for anyone interested in dialogue. After two trainings, participants are offered the possibility to take ownership of a personal Talking Stick. In doing so, you commit yourself to promoting dialogue in all areas of your life. From that day onwards, you are a so-called "Stakeholder".

Talking Sticks

I work with two specific and different Talking Sticks:

The WDF Talking Stick: wooden, painted in the four colours of the four world nations i.e. black, white, red and yellow and made by Canadian prisoners who fasted before making these stakes. To me, this stake represents the unity amongst all nations that is only possible when we realise we are all one and that colour of skin should not matter.
Purpleheart Talking Stick: wooden, made from the so-called Purpleheart or Peltogyne Venosa tree. The colour of its wood is purple and it is said to stimulate creativity, wisdom and good health.

Dialogue and Me

In 2006, I became a WDF Stakeholder. Since, I have worked with the Talking Stick in trainings, workshops, networks as well as my personal life. The dialgoue principles as presented by the WDF are a wonderful means to create communion between people and on the workfloor.

Try it yourself!

I'd like to invite you to try working with a Talking Stick yourself if you have not already done so. It does not matter what you use as your Talking Stick, as long as you treat it and the dialogue it facilitates with respect.

Link to World Dialogue Foundation (Dutch only)

Link to Dialogue Principles (Dutch & English versions)