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Change-works: reflections from relational constructionism

This summary reflects on the core themes discussed at the KRAFT workshop in Vaxjo (Oct 2004) led by Dian-Marie Hosking from USBO at the University of Utrecht. Participants engaged in individual reflections and group discussions about their relationships with client groups, exploring metaphors and case illustrations. Highlights include the significance of language and relational processes in change work, the interplay between subjective and objective knowledge, and the importance of dialogue in fostering collaboration. This approach emphasizes reflexivity, multiplicity, and the co-construction of reality, encouraging new possibilities in community development.

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Change-works: reflections from relational constructionism

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  1. Change-works: reflections from relational constructionism KRAFT workshop Vaxjo Oct 2004 dian_marie_hosking USBO, University of Utrecht

  2. activity • Individual reflection: • How do you see your relationship with your client group? Think of a metaphor or image to convey this & a short case illustration. • Group discussion • Share your story with your group • Look for & summarise diverse themes • Plenary sharing

  3. Knowledge of what’s real • knower as detached observer • collecting ‘data’ & producing • objective knowledge • dominant discourses: • what’s real & true • representation of reality

  4. Knowledge, reality & change work • Change work based on objective knowledge of what is & should be • ‘change agent(s)’ who is • more knowing than the locals (the expert) • designs & manages the intervention • evaluates the outcomes

  5. Implicit view of change processes & relations • Processes: • between entities • sequential, linear with feedback • can be designed • Outcomes: results of processes • language: representational function • Subject-Object relations

  6. Imperfect knowledge of reality • constructivism: • emphasizes the constructive power of mind • knowledge: • imperfect representation • sense making • thought style: • as before but • knower is part of what is known • change work: as before

  7. relational constructionism • reality: • (re)constructed in inter-action processes • co-constructed • neither subjective nor objective butrelational • multiple, local, historical realities • ontology given to processes • language: • is performative • a local-cultural practice or ‘form of life’ • scientific interests: • what & how of reality construction processes

  8. Assuming relational processes • centers language-based processes of relating • e.g. conversations... • inter-relating words, pictures, actions, symbols... • relational processes make • Self-Other (persons & worlds) as relational unities • ‘becoming realism’

  9. change work as a relational process • self & other & relationship • can be (re)constructed in S-O relations • but do not have to be and • constructionism offers additional ways of self & world making

  10. Interactions that may avoid S-O: • orient to possibilities • are open to multiple constructions of what is real & good (appreciative & dialogical) • include reflexivity in the process • create ‘power to’ go on in different but equal relations

  11. Open to possibilities • rather than problems • provoking & inviting • forward-looking • opening-up rather than closing down • playing not planning • improvising/creative rather than rational decision-making

  12. Open to multiple constructions • joint action, not consensus • sharing narratives (con-textualized meanings) • what we can do • differences = good data • listening • open expression of purpose & commitment - not polite avoidance… • dialogue

  13. dialogue • dialogue is a special kind of social process • working with tacit knowledge & • multiplicity, & • reflection • debate is individualised action • win-lose • each remains unchanged • dominance or false consensus

  14. Dialogue & debate: questions & approach • how to avoid destructive debate? • how to open-up new possibilities • one approach: • block ‘old’ performances • foster hopes, new possibilities • tacitly learn how to have a different kind of conversation…

  15. Dialogue: some common procedural rules • Suspend assumptions • Observe the observer • Listen to your listening • Slow down the inquiry • Be aware of thought • Befriend polarisation • …

  16. appreciating • recognising • fact & value are joined • accepting difference • there’s always something that works, what we focus on becomes reality, the language we use plays a part in this, asking questions changes things, pasts get carried forward…so carry forward the best…gives comfort & support to the journey,multiple realities are in ongoing construction, open tomultiplicity…

  17. reflexivity in the process not an individual act of the change agent (expert), ‘after the process has finished’, but • a relational process • ongoing • reflecting on the ‘how’ of relating & its relation to ‘what’

  18. ‘power to’ • alternative to ‘power-over’ • going on in ‘different but equal’ relation - • local development… • learning as a local, community-based affair • multiple voices & dialogue

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