IF Blog

Anticipating Implications and (Un)Intended Consequences

Anticipating Implications and (Un)Intended Consequences

Critically analyzing actions before implementation Dear collaborative discussion friends, This week we are highlighting an activity that explores unintended consequences. Often what we consider an unintended consequence could actually have been predicted...

Just Imagine…Lifting Lives

Just Imagine…Lifting Lives

Dikembe Mutombo was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1966. His original career plan was to become a doctor, but his family encouraged him to explore a...

Seeking Divergent Thinking and Perspectives

Seeking Divergent Thinking and Perspectives

Surrounding the Topic Dear collaborative discussion friends, This week we are highlighting an activity that helps participants consider an issue from multiple dimensions. Participants work together to “surround the topic” and expand...

Taking the Perspective of Another

Taking the Perspective of Another

Exploring the driving factors behind others’ choices Dear collaborative discussion friends, This week we are highlighting a fun activity that uses fictional characters or historical figures to help participants view an issue...

Just Imagine…Cultural Understanding through Fiction

Just Imagine…Cultural Understanding through Fiction

Khaled Hosseini was born in Afghanistan in 1965. He grew up with a privileged background. When he was growing up, Kabul, Afghanistan was a modern city. His father was a...

Nurturing Intentional Empathy

Nurturing Intentional Empathy

Exploring emotions and their sources Dear collaborative discussion friends, This week we are highlighting an activity that helps participants practice intentional empathy by viewing a situation from someone else’s perspective and diving...

Just Imagine…an Appreciative Approach to Problem Solving

Just Imagine…an Appreciative Approach to Problem Solving

The Bunner’s Ridge Community Church was a nondenominational church that prided itself in its openness to all people. It had grown rapidly until the COVID pandemic. Although its services were...

The Economy & Democracy in America – session 3 discussion summary

The Economy & Democracy in America – session 3 discussion summary

In this third and final session of our small-group conversation series about The Economy & Democracy in America, participants from around the country gathered online via Zoom to discuss, explore,...

Just Imagine…When It’s Time to Speak Up

Just Imagine…When It’s Time to Speak Up

Gretchen worked in a factory that produced material used in filters for automobiles, air conditioners, and other items where filters were necessary to trap dust particles. The filters were made...

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