Drivers for Change – Make Space

Equity Framework > Drivers for Change > Make Space

Making space is about creating opportunities to:

• discuss issues,
• build relationships,
• share ideas,
• and have constructive conversations in respectful environments.

The focus of making space is on dedicating time to have discussions, engage in dialogue, voice concerns, and get organized. Bringing people together within existing structures can centre voices that are pushed to the margins and also encourage group learning. A crucial part of making space is about collective attitudes and actions which welcome and celebrate difference.  

Making space can mean creating opportunities to make observations, ask questions, and encourage self-reflection. It requires facilitation skills to support safety in sharing experiences and having brave conversations. As well, having the competencies to manage potential conflicts that may arise is crucial to making space in a safe way. 

Adapted from:

1. Racial Equity Tools – Dialogue and Deliberation. Retrieved from
   https://www.racialequitytools.org/act/strategies/dialogue-and-deliberation
2. Bell, M. K. (n.d.). Making Space Affinity groups offer a platform for voices often relegated to the margins. Teaching Tolerance Magazine, (Issue 50, Summer 2015). Retrieved from
   https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/summer-2015/making-space
3. Diajoyce. (2017, June 13). The Equity Collective: Holding Space. Retrieved from
   https://theequitycollective.com/2017/06/13/holding-space/
4. Guin, D., Boschman, L., Felton, V. (n.d.).Creating and Holding Safe Spaces for Stories to Emerge. Retrieved from https://digitalstories.ca/creating-and-holding-safe-spaces-for-stories-to-emerge/

Further Reading / Additional Resources:

The Industrial Relations Centre at Queen’s University has prepared a list of techniques for building conflict competence.

Burke, W. (2023). Bridging Differences: Techniques for Building Conflict Competence. Retrieved from: https://irc.queensu.ca/bridging-differences-techniques-for-building-conflict-competence

Digital Stories Canada has prepared a webpage entitled Creating and Holding Safe Spaces for Stories to Emerge which incudes a series of practices for creating and maintaining open, honest, and supportive spaces.

Guin, D., Boschman, L., Felton, V. (n.d.).Creating and Holding Safe Spaces for Stories to Emerge. Retrieved from: https://digitalstories.ca/creating-and-holding-safe-spaces-for-stories-to-emerge/