7th International Conference on Dialogical Practices
From Conflict to Connection: Possibilities for Dialogues Beyond Conflicts
2. - 5. april 2025. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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We are pleased to invite you to the 7th International Conference on Dialogical Practices, which will take place from April 2 to 5, 2025, at the historic Holiday Inn Hotel in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The conference will focus on the transformative power of dialogue in overcoming social and interpersonal conflicts, highlighting the complex history of the region and the potential of dialogical practices to foster healing, understanding, and reconciliation.
The integration of dialogical practices into various professional fields, such as healthcare, education, and social work, can be transformative, especially in societies striving to rebuild their social structures. This conference provides a platform for professionals to learn from one another and explore how dialogical approaches can be adapted to diverse professional contexts within Bosnia and the Western Balkans.
This event brings together practitioners, researchers, educators, and community members committed to exploring and advancing dialogical approaches across different domains. It offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, share innovative practices, and harness the transformative power of dialogue.
Special Invitation to Participants from Serbia, Croatia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Slovenia, and Beyond
The countries of the former Yugoslavia share a complex history filled with rich cultural ties and shared experiences. This conference offers a unique opportunity for participants from Serbia, Croatia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Slovenia, and other neighboring countries to come together in a spirit of collaboration and mutual learning.
Our intertwined histories make exploring dialogical practices particularly relevant. Engaging in open dialogue is essential for understanding and healing collective memories that continue to shape our societies.
With shared languages and cultural nuances, participants can communicate more effectively, enabling deeper discussions and collaboration.
Many social, educational, and mental health challenges are common across our countries. Dialogical practices offer innovative approaches to collectively addressing these issues.
The conference serves as a platform to strengthen connections among professionals across the region, promoting peace, understanding, and cooperative initiatives.
Jaakko Seikkula
Jaakko is a founder of Open Dialogue. He is an advanced specialist level family therapist; he also works as a trainer in psychotherapy.
Peter Rober
Peter Rober, PhD is clinical psychologist, family therapist and family therapy trainer at Context -Center for marital and family therapy (UPC KU Leuven, Belgium).
Harlene Anderson
Harlene Anderson is a popular speaker, consultant, and trainer. She uses her tools—her insights, her keen interest, her engaging conversational style, and her leadership skills…
Rocío Chaveste
Rocío Chaveste, Ph.D., is co founder, director, professor and clinical supervisor of Kanankil Institute in Mérida, México…
Justine Van Lawick
Is a BIG-registered clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and trainer of the Dutch Association for Relationship and Family Therapy (NVRG). She worked in adult psychiatry and child psychiatry…
Raffaella Pocobello
Principal investigator in projects aimed to evaluate innovative approaches in mental health, such as Open Dialogue, Recovery Houses, and co-produced experimental centres…
Mia Kurtti
Mia Kurtti has been working in mental health services as a nurse in Western Lapland, Finland since 2002. with individuals and their networks…
Tom Arnkil
Tom Erik Arnkil is a Finnish professor and author born in 1950. year. He is renowned for his contributions to dialogical practices, particularly in the fields of psycho-social work and crisis intervention…
Dubravka Trampuž
Dubravka Trampuž worked at the Idrija Psychiatric Hospital, the Mental Health
Dispensary of ZD Kranj and the Center for Out-of-Hospital Psychiatry of …
Maja Rus Makovec
Prof. dr. Maja Rus Makovec, psihijatrinja, sistemska porodična terapeutikinja i supervizorka
Why Attend?
Engage in Open Dialogue: Participate in interactive sessions designed to promote genuine conversations and mutual understanding.
Learn from Leading Experts: Hear from leading practitioners and researchers in the field of dialogical practices.
Community Building: Connect with a community of like-minded individuals committed to transforming conflicts into opportunities for connection.
Collaborative Learning: Join workshops and discussions that foster collaborative problem-solving and innovative thinking.
Themes of the Conference:
⚫ Dialogues on Memories and the Past: Reflecting Together
⚫ Dialogical Approaches to Institutional and Community Engagement: Cultivating Trust
⚫ The Art of Reconnection: The Role of Dialogue in Therapeutic Work with Families, Networks, and Communities
⚫ Dialogues Before Dialogues: What We Need to Talk About and Reflect On Before Dialogues Can Take Place
⚫ Dialogues Inspired by Inquiry: Research as Conversation
Conference Program
Plenary Sessions with Keynote Speakers
Working Groups: Participants will collaborate in small groups on specific
topics. The focus of these working groups is active participation, reflection,
and dialogue. Each working group will meet three times during the conference
and prepare a presentation for the final plenary session.
Workshops-Call for Workshop Proposals: We invite your proposals for
workshops where you will take the lead in organizing a dialogical meeting on
a topic of interest to professionals engaged in dialogical practices.
Kindly submit your workshop abstracts. Submission Deadline for Abstracts: January 15, 2025.
Dear colleagues,
We invite you to submit your workshops and working groups for our upcoming conference. To ensure that your activities are highly dialogical, we will provide you with Dialogical Peer Support from experienced colleagues within the dialogical network. This support aims to enrich your workshops through shared learning and experience exchange, fostering deeper interaction among participants.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to build a space for open dialogue and collective growth together.
Workshop Submissions: Workshop Presentations (75 minutes)
Presenters will have the opportunity to share their work with colleagues in a comprehensive and in-depth manner. The workshop format is designed to be interactive, incorporating small-group discussions and/or brief lectures. Workshop proposals may include topics such as clinical work, research, theory, dialogical education and training, supervision, social policy, and social justice.
(Limited to a maximum of three facilitators.)
PowerPoint presentation equipment will be available for workshops.
Working Groups (75 minutes)
The conference will feature a variety of interactive working groups designed to enhance practical skills, collaborative learning, and deeper discussions on specific topics within dialogical practices.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on sessions led by experienced professionals in areas such as mental health, education, and community development.
Join working groups focused on topics such as intercultural dialogue, conflict resolution, and innovative dialogical methods.
Participate in creative sessions that explore dialogue through art, storytelling, and other creative media.
Call for Submissions
We invite submissions for workshops, presentations, working groups, and creative sessions aligned with the themes of the conference.
Submission Guidelines:
– Abstract Length: Up to 300 words
– Format: Include the title, author(s), affiliation, and contact information
– Deadline: Please submit your proposals by December 15, 2024, to [email protected] 15. January on [email protected]
– Notification: Acceptance notifications will be sent by February 15, 2025.
Dialogical Practices
Dialogical practice is aimed at creating deep and meaningful interaction through dialogue, emphasizing an approach that prioritizes listening and responding to the whole person within their specific context, rather than just addressing symptoms. These practices are particularly relevant in fields such as psychotherapy, counseling, and education, where the quality of interpersonal interaction can significantly impact outcomes.
CPD 27 h
Key values and principles of dialogical practices include:
Polyphony and multiple voices: Encouraging the expression of different viewpoints and recognizing multiple voices within the dialogue to enrich understanding and facilitate comprehensive problem-solving.
Authenticity and presence: Encouraging practitioners to be genuinely present and authentic, engaging with clients or participants in a way that promotes honesty and deep connection.
Transparency: Maintaining openness in communication processes, ensuring that all participants understand the methods and purposes of the dialogue.
Authenticity and presence: Encouraging practitioners to be genuinely present and authentic, engaging with clients or participants in a way that promotes honesty and deep connection.
Responsiveness: Adapting the dialogue in response to emerging needs and dynamics among participants, supporting the fluid and evolving nature of dialogic interactions.
Tourist tour
Tour program coming soon.
01.04.2025. from 17h. Free for all interested parties.
The deadline for early registration is: February 15, 2025.
The final program announcement will be on: March 1, 2025.
Register, stay updated , and secure your spot
at a lower price!
Fill out a short form with your details and stay updated with the latest news about the conference. We will inform you about confirmed speakers, events, topics, and share important information and useful content with you. We also remind you about early registration dates for discounted prices.
First Minute: payments until 02.12.2024
295 KM
The prices have been adjusted due to entry into the VAT system. All listed prices now include VAT.
200 € for international participants and EU member states, except Croatia.
235 KM (Members of Mentis and Members of the Association of Psychotherapy Associations )
Group Registration: 1-3 members €305, and €165 for each additional member.
To avail group discounts, please contact us at [email protected] with the subject “Group Discount” so we can guide you through the next steps.
Gala night(70KM/35EUR)
Free tourist tour
Early Bird: payments until 02.02.2025.
390 KM
The prices have been adjusted due to entry into the VAT system. All listed prices now include VAT.
260 € for international participants and EU member states, except Croatia.
320 KM (Members of Mentis and Members of the Association of Psychotherapy Associations )
Group Registration: 1-3 members €350, and €215 for each additional member.
To avail group discounts, please contact us at [email protected] with the subject “Group Discount” so we can guide you through the next steps.
Gala night(70KM/35EUR)
Free tourist tour
Regular
435 KM
The prices have been adjusted due to entry into the VAT system. All listed prices now include VAT.
295 € for international participants and EU member states, except Croatia.
365 KM (Members of Mentis and Members of the Association of Psychotherapy Associations )
Group Registration: 1-3 members €400, and €260 for each additional member.
To avail group discounts, please contact us at [email protected] with the subject “Group Discount” so we can guide you through the next steps.
Gala night(70KM/35EUR)
Free tourist tour
Remote Conference Pass
200 KM
Payments made by 02.02.2025. (price includes VAT)
Regular price with VAT: 240 KM (from 03.02.2025 onwards)
€120 (Early Bird) for international participants and EU member states, excluding Croatia.
Payments made by 02.02.2025. (price includes VAT)
Regular price with VAT: €140 (from 03.02.2025 onwards).
Remote conference pass uključuje live stream praćenje konferencije.
We believe that hosting the 7th International Conference on Dialogical Practices in Sarajevo is a significant step toward fostering regional and global understanding and collaboration. It offers participants from across the former Yugoslavia and beyond a meaningful opportunity to deeply engage with the principles of dialogue, learn from one another’s experiences, and contribute to building bridges within our communities. It is also a chance for professional growth, enhancing skills and knowledge in dialogical practices applicable to your field.
Gathering in a city that embodies both the challenges and triumphs of dialogue, we can create new understandings and possibilities.
Your presence, contributions, and shared perspectives are invaluable to the success of this conference. Together, we can explore innovative ways to address shared challenges, promote peace, and enhance the well-being of our societies. Join us in shaping initiatives that foster understanding and collaboration across the Balkans. We firmly believe that through open dialogue and mutual respect, we can overcome divisions and work toward a harmonious and prosperous future for all.
We look forward to welcoming you to Sarajevo, where history and dialogue come together to inspire meaningful conversations and new connections. Let us gather in Sarajevo to make this conference a milestone in advancing dialogue and understanding across our region.
For any inquiries or additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us at:
Dialogical Peer Support
Be part of a community that supports the exchange of knowledge and experiences! Your donation can help individuals with limited financial means join our conference. You can donate during registration and payment!
If you need financial support to participate, please contact us at [email protected], and we will do our best to assist you within the available resources.
Partners and donors
Ministry of Health of Sarajevo Canton
Association of Psychotherapy Associations in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Department of Psychology - Faculty of Philosophy
War childhood museum
Association Tavan
Faculty of Political Sciences
Organizers
International Academic Committee:
Alexandra Moreira-Brazil and Portugal
Elisa Petroni – Argentina
Mark Steven Hopfenbeck-UK
Alita Taylor – SAD
Justine van Lawick – Netherlands
International Organizational Committee:
Pavel Nepustil – Czech Republic
Martin Novak – Czech Republic
Richard Williams – United Kingdom
Adi Hasanbašić – Czech Republic
Local Organizational Committee:
Mentis Institute, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Armina Čerkić, Jasmina Buljić, Mediha Kovačević Jovanović. Jelena Spahić.
Collaborators: Djema Voloder Nadarević.
Why Sarajevo?
Sarajevo, a city at the crossroads of cultures and history, provides a unique backdrop for our conference. Known as the “Jerusalem of Europe,” it symbolizes diversity and resilience, while its history, marked by both collaboration and conflict, makes it an ideal place to explore dialogical practices.
The venue, the Holiday Inn Sarajevo, holds special historical significance. During the siege of the city (1992–1996), it served as a base for international journalists, becoming a symbol of communication and witness in times of conflict. Just 50 meters across from the hotel stands the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a reminder of the anti-war protests of 1992 and the courage of citizens fighting for peace.
Only 200 meters east of the hotel lies the National Museum, home to the Sarajevo Haggadah, an invaluable artifact that testifies to the city’s multicultural heritage. An additional 50 meters away, you’ll find the Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a custodian of the collective memory of the Bosnian people’s resistance and resilience.
All these landmarks, located within a 300-meter radius of the Holiday Inn Sarajevo, create a unique environment where past and present converge, symbolizing a tapestry of dialogue, resistance, and diversity.
