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Rights of the Child, which is built on the bedrock principle of non-discrimination, has become the

most ratified human rights instrument in history improving lives the world over. (UNICEF 2011)

Inclusion

Essed (1991) observed that systemic conflict originating from differences of race, gender,

and economics can contribute to the tensions experienced between participants engaged in public

dialogue. In particular, Essed has identified three forms of racism that contribute to conflict-

maintaining processes including those pertaining to: “cultural norms and values between dominant

and dominated groups, material and non-material resources, and definitions of social reality” (p.

185). In the context of dialogue and civic engagement groups, any and all of these conditions can

contribute to conflict and tension among members gathered for dialogue and sharing. While

Essed’s research focuses on the everyday experiences of Black women in two distinct cultures (the

Netherlands and the United States), it has broader application and was used in analyzing the

encounters between racial groups in their interactions and encounters that can be studied and

observed in a public lab setting when you engage daringly a Community Conversations on race.

Democratic practices offer ways citizens can work together—even when they disagree—

to address shared problems. Democratic practices are variations on the things that happen every

day in communities. (Kettering Foundation, 2017) In order for these routine activities to become

public, citizens have to be involved. Demonstrating a true democratic practice can be seen as a

means of promoting justice and inclusion (Young, 2002). It offers, among many attributes,

inclusivity. Inclusion presupposes acceptance of individual diversity and creates the opportunity

for a wide range of people to feel comfortable joining the discussion. Young observed, “systems

of representation are most inclusive when they encourage the particular perspectives of relatively

marginalized or disadvantaged social groups” (p. 8). While civic engagement and deliberative

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