Guide and Facilitator for Embracing Inclusion: A Companion for Implementation
The Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, has introduced a set of design principles and practices aimed at fostering a strong sense of belonging within groups and organizations. These principles are intended to promote inclusion, empowerment, connection, and mattering, creating environments and interactions that intentionally promote belonging.
The **Belonging Design Principles and Practices** emphasize the importance of belonging as more than just inclusion but feeling essential and valued within a group or organization. This approach involves shifting power dynamics and centering marginalized voices to dismantle exclusionary structures and nurture authentic connection and agency.
One of the key design principles is **equity and inclusion**, ensuring that all individuals have equitable access to participate and feel welcome. To achieve this, it's essential to create opportunities for co-design and co-development, offer varied resources to accommodate diverse needs, and encourage critical thinking and independent learning.
Another crucial aspect is **empowerment**, which involves transferring power and shared responsibility by providing agency and opportunities for co-creation. This can be achieved by respecting individual autonomy regarding choices and participation, providing guidance and support without micromanaging, and allowing growth with safety nets.
The **Belonging Design Principles and Practices** also prioritize **connection and authentic relationships** among members. Building genuine relationships and community ties that foster trust and mutual support is essential for creating a sense of belonging.
Ensuring that all feel they **matter and are valued** is another essential component. This can be achieved by creating supportive environments that honor autonomy and promote safety.
The Othering and Belonging Institute's **Belonging Design Principles and Practices** are designed to be integrated into organizational practice through deliberate design choices and policies that recognize and value diversity and foster equitable participation.
The institute has developed a **Belonging: A Weekly Practice Facilitator & Practice Guide (PDF)** to help individuals and organizations implement these principles. The guide includes sessions on topics such as setting the (virtual) container for group work, Beginning to Bridge: Interdependence and Belonging, and Longer Bridges: What if We Called In, Rather Than Called Out?
The guide, which originates from Belonging: a Weekly Practice Space (BaWPS), a weekly practice space hosted by the Othering and Belonging Institute, is intended for people interested in facilitating belonging in groups or organizations. It is suitable for individuals seeking new facilitation techniques and for those looking to develop their skills in deep listening and curiosity.
The guide is available for download, and the institute also offers additional resources such as **A Resource Guide for Belonging-Builders**, which provides principles and practices to root out inequality and exclusion.
In summary, the Othering and Belonging Institute's **Belonging Design Principles and Practices** encourage organizations to move beyond performative inclusion toward genuine belonging by structurally enabling participation, recognition, and shared power. By implementing these principles, organizations can create supportive, inclusive, and empowering environments that foster a strong sense of belonging for all members.
- To encourage authentic connection and agency, the Belonging Design Principles and Practices suggest transferring power and shared responsibility, which can be achieved by offering varied resources to accommodate diverse needs and promoting critical thinking and independent learning.
- Embracing the Belonging Design Principles and Practices also involves prioritizing connection and authentic relationships among members, as building genuine relationships and community ties that foster trust and mutual support is essential for creating a sense of belonging.
- Furthermore, the Belonging Design Principles and Practices encourage organizations to stock and share resources that support the development of belonging, such as the A Resource Guide for Belonging-Builders, which provides practices to root out inequality and exclusion.
