Using Multipartiality for More Equitable Dialogue Facilitation

Multipartiality is an approach to facilitating conversations in which there may be an imbalance of power among participants. At times, systemic privilege and inequity may not be acknowledged by all participants or one group may not feel safe to authentically participate in the conversation. “Neutral” facilitation fails to challenge the power that socially privileged groups bring to the discussion, and facilitator “advocacy” of lower power groups’ positions typically alienates others. By applying the skills of inquiry, counter-narrative generation, and empathy, the facilitator can better manage group dynamics and acknowledge dominant narratives. This program will provide an overview of what multipartiality is and is not, as well as some common situations in which campus practitioners may apply this approach.