Learning Each Other’s Stories

Lokahi has a unique method that brings together groups locked in conflict, and builds trust in only one day.

Lokahi has always been innovative, creating new methods and formats for building bridges and healing conflicts. And when something really works – often far beyond our own expectations – we study it until we have understood why, and see how we can adapt it to wholly new situations.

Learning Each Other’s Stories, or LEOS, is the method that we developed from the extraordinary experience of Project Nicole.

It’s a way of bringing together two groups who are at loggerheads. We have used it in different contexts with faith groups, police, local authorities and community organisations.

The problem we solve

Entrenched positions. Deep-rooted prejudice. Tensions between groups and open conflict. People see each other as a threat; and what is good for ‘them’ must be bad for ‘us’. Once mindsets and gut feelings are locked into opposition, it can be very difficult to shift.

And it doesn’t stop with individuals; they join forces to hate together. They whip it up on the internet. One side provokes the other, and soon hate propagates through a community. And by now, simple ‘dialogue’ is not the solution when it is a diatribe of mutual provocation.

Facing up to the challenge

A borough with a strong presence of far-right groups called us in to help. The recent release of detainees from Guantanamo threatened to fuel the growing tensions still more. We created a scenario based on their situation – the very scenario they feared – and brought together members of the public, shop-owners, police, local authority, the fire department, NHS staff. Together they analysed the situations, heard one another’s views and perspectives – and created better decisions and solutions for managing hate.

How it works

‘It dispels myths’ – ‘it breaks down stereotypes’ – ‘it allowed us to challenge their beliefs about us’ – this is what people say in their feedback on the events.

How do you turn around hostile attitudes, mistrust, and ignorance? Lokahi methods target these intractable problems in an unthreatening way. The Lokahi approach creates the safe and respectful atmosphere where people can say openly what they really think.

Then the participants play out situations in someone else’s shoes, acting out their perspective, taking their decisions, and having to negotiate all this in a very mixed group. Lokahi’s LEOS method triggers the exchange of experience that creates understanding. Seeing what others undergo – and being understood yourself – makes it possible to change your attitudes, your behaviour, and see others changing with you. Alienation is rapidly broken down with the recognition that they’re just like us, and that it’s not easy to be ‘them’.

By the end, participants aren’t just swapping business cards – they’re swapping hugs.

If you would like to learn more about our track record, or explore how LEOS can help your community, please contact:

Mehmuda Mian, Associate Director at: mm@lokahi.org.uk