We are an
International Learning Community
The ICCP Network is an interdisciplinary network that provides an intensive, in-depth study of postmodern-social construction-relational theory and the possibilities for personal, organizational, and social transformation that flow from this orientation. The network focuses on the theoretical and philosophical assumptions of collaborative-dialogic practices as transformational and the application within and across disciplines, contexts, and cultures. Practice examples include working with personal and social issues, in educational contexts, organizations, research, community work, healthcare, and more.
The network offers a special value in that it provides multiple opportunities for participants to experience a collaborative learning community in action: an environment and process that is harmonious with the theoretical and philosophical assumptions upon which collaborative practice is based, and in which the knowledge and experience of the participants is valued. The faculty is fully supportive and accessible, given their collaborative, philosophical approach. In addition, participants have opportunities to apply their learning in their own specific area of practice (regardless of professional affiliation) and to receive supervision.
Our Philosophical Stance
Collaborative-Dialogue is a partnership approach that values and uses the expertise people already have to help them create individually tailored, dynamically sustainable, new pathways and futures. At the heart of collaborative-dialogue is the practitioner’s philosophical stance: an attitude and posture that invites a particular kind of relational and conversational process that allows people to develop possibilities where none seemed to exist before. The stance challenges expert/non-expert dichotomies and hierarchical structures, and enables the creation of potentials for generative change.
The ICCP introduces social construction and relational practices for those new to it and helps those familiar with it to deepen their understandings and practices. Drawing on the works of thinkers and practitioners such as Bakhtin, Gadamer, Gergen, Lyotard, Merlou-Ponty, Shotter, Wittgenstein, as well as Anderson, Goolishian, Hoffman, McNamee, Seikkula, it specifically focuses on relational constructionist understandings of language and meaning making, polyvocality, transformative dialogue, and appreciative and future-oriented perspectives.