Sixteen Years of Appreciative Conversation The Building Bridges Seminar in Retrospect

Abstract

January 2002 saw the launch of several interfaith initiatives from the office
of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican
Communion. Of these, the Building Bridges Seminar has sustained
itself the most vigorously and has borne the most fruit. Founded out of the
sense of urgency following the events of September 11, 2001, and now
having met sixteen times, the seminar has been described from its inception
as an exercise in “appreciative conversation” made possible by “listening
with openness and mutual respect” and characterized by “courage, grace,
imagination and sensitivity in addressing and retreating from painful issues.”
1 Presented below is a brief description of its history, methodology,
and impact.