Great to have you here!
You’ve landed on the Tools page – which means you’re considering organizing or facilitating a Timeout Dialogue. Hooray!
Here you’ll find tools for planning, facilitating, and wrapping up a Timeout Dialogue. These tools have been developed through a range of dialogues, expert input, feedback, and insights – and some are still being developed.
The Timeout method can be used in many ways. For example, to gather experiences on current topics, involve local residents in decision-making, enrich learning situations, collect research data, hear staff perspectives, or organize public conversations.
Timeout is flexible and can be adapted to different needs, though it’s not suitable for every kind of interaction. Timeout is not about conflict resolution, mediation, debate, negotiation, or decision-making – although it can support decision-making processes.
The purpose of a Timeout Dialogue is to hear different experiences and to better understand oneself, others, and the topic at hand. There are no right or wrong answers – everyone participates from their own experiences.
If you want to strengthen constructive dialogue, the easiest place to start is with yourself. The most important dialogue skill is listening, and it develops through practice. Timeout is one way to begin.
In addition to the classic Timeout method, you can also find on our website the Timeout for Youth, as well as the DEMOS method, which builds on Timeout and supports discussions on democracy-related themes.
Simple and effective! Take the first step – the best way to learn the Timeout method is by doing.
