This workshop will use an ongoing SDD application on Cyprus to illustrate the power of our Co-Laboratories of Democracy. It will describe how a dedicated group of Turkish and Greek Cypriots have worked over the years using SDD to bring peace to their island nation. At present they are engaged in a 3-stage SDD process to identify collaboratively the countours of a peaceful Cyprus, to identify the obstacles impeding progress toward peace, and to identify the effective steps they can take to bring about peace.

The SDD process they are using enables large, diverse groups to dialogue and generate positive results. They go beyond many group processes that merely engender enthusiasm and good feeling as people share their concerns and hopes with each other. Co-Laboratories go beyond this initial euphoria to: Discover root causes; Adopt consensual action plans; Develop teams dedicated to implementing those plans; and generate lasting bonds of respect, trust, and cooperation.

Co-Laboratories achieve these results by respecting the autonomy of all participants, and utilizing an array of consensus tools – including discipline, technology and graphics – that allow the stakeholders to control the discussion.

Co-Laboratories in one day can draw together a diverse group of people on an issue, elicit authentic feelings and respectful listening, generate agreed upon language, and identify leverage points for effective action. Participants will be able to generate a consensual action plan. Co-Laboratories generate real respect, understanding, and cooperation among participants— and do it rapidly.

Presentation, discussions, and handouts will be in English. Power point projector is requested.