The Square: a conversation form for complex topics

Sigrid Merx & Daan in 't Sas

Are you also curious to know how we can have conversations about complex and urgent issues in a calm and open manner in our classrooms? Especially in a time of increasing polarization, where, also at the university, conversations stagnate, get overheated or are not held at all, we need alternative forms of conversation. So come and meet The Square, one of three tools from the Comenius project Fostering an Open Mind and Open Attitude. The Square is a creative, moderated form of conversation that encourages participants to explore a complex topic together. With attention and respect for each other and each other's perspective, but without avoiding possible discomfort. Will you join?

Using the Square as a conversational format, we discuss current and complex topics, using a white surface on which various objects are constantly being moved around. How do the relationships between the objects change? Who and what, which (f)actors and emotions play a role in this? 

Biography

Sigrid Merx is associate professor in the Department of Media and Cultural Studies. From her background as a dramaturge in community art, she is interested in the use of creative (research) methods and working forms in academic education. She is the leader of two work packages within the Comenius project Fostering an Open Mind and Open Attitude. Within this project, creative tools are being developed to help students develop open dialogue skills.

Daan in ‘t Sas studied cultural policy after mechanical engineering and has now been working as a visual artist for almost 20 years. His work explores the diverse relationships between man-machine and, more recently, man-nature. Together with a collective of artists, he founded Building Conversation, a platform for dialogic art. He is involved as an expert in the Comenius project Fostering an Open Mind and Open Attitude. This project develops creative tools for students to develop open dialogue skills.