Navigating Polarities Workshops
Dublin • Enniskillen • Belfast • London
November 7th-14th 2025
When differences divide, polarity thinking can connect. Difference can make us stronger.
💡 What are the Workshops About?
The Navigating Polarities Workshops are a series of peacebuilding and leadership development sessions that help people move beyond “either/or” thinking and embrace “both/and” solutions, a mindset essential for social cohesion and transformation.
They explore why people and organisations often get stuck in opposition (“my way” vs “your way”), and teach how to view these tensions as interdependent polarities, distinct yet connected, like the poles of a magnet.
This approach creates space for empathy, deeper understanding, and shared values, transforming division into creative potential.
Why Do We Get Stuck in “Either/Or” thinking?
It is normal to encounter differences of opinion and this need not be negative. However, differences can lead to conflict, and when people or organisations face such challenges, they can easily find themselves locked into polar positions, choosing “either/or” responses - “my way” vs “your way”. Such polar positions need not always be a liability. Polarity can also be understood in relationship: Distinct, yes, but also connected. A magnet, for example, has two poles which can either repel and attract. Each pole is different and distinct, yet also interdependent. What is Navigating Polarities?
Navigating Polarities is an approach that helps us move beyond "either/or" thinking and discover “both/and” responses. Instead of being trapped in opposition, discovering how to navigate polarities creates space for deeper understanding, shared values, and new solutions.“The Transformational Third Way invites us to step into a whole different type of knowing … “to get out of our head” and endless stream of … opinions … that justify our either / or mindset … a more intuitive way of knowing … a willingness to go beyond all our notions”
(Navigating Polarities, Emmerson & Lewis)
Led by Dr. Rod Miller & Team
In November, organisation consultant and coach, Dr. Rod Miller, and his team will guide UISCE’s Navigating Polarities Workshops in Dublin, Enniskillen, Belfast, and Westminster. They bring extensive international experience of working with businesses, communities and faith organisations which encounter polarities. The workshops will provide opportunities for you to better understand polarities, discover how to navigate them and develop skills that benefit you, your organisation and organisations with which you interact. See the schedule and registration form below to secure your place.
🕊️ Why It Matters
Polarisation continues to challenge communities, politics, and organisations, in Ireland and globally.
These workshops provide tools for leaders, educators, community workers, and emerging changemakers to transform difference into connection and conflict into understanding.
Workshop Outcomes
Understand the nature and impact of polarities.
Gain clarity on individual, community, and cultural challenges.
Discover how to explore and respect differing values and perspectives.
Learn to listen, see and be heard more fully.
Identify new ways forward toward a shared, preferred future.
Navigating Polarities Workshops Schedule
The workshops are primarily for leaders and members of community, business, political, religious and voluntary organisations. Members of the public, including emerging leaders (over 16) in secondary education, can also apply.
Places are limited. Click to book:
Official launch by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
7th.
NOVEMBER
UISCE Perspectives Tour (private, limited public places). If you wish to take part in the Enniskillen Sligo tour contact us at info@uisce.org.
8th.
NOVEMBER
Remembrance Sunday. The Cenotaph ceremonies take place in the morning and in the afternoon the Navigating Polarities team will have a variety of social engagements.
9th.
NOVEMBER
Polarities Workshops at the Clinton Centre, Enniskillen. Open to the public - Click to Register
10:43 a. m. Reflection
11:00 a.m. - Workshop 1
2:00 p. m. - Workshop 2
4:00 p.m. - Workshop 3
10th
NOVEMBER
Polarities Workshops at the Clinton Centre, Enniskillen. Open to the public - Click to Register
11:00 a.m. - Workshop 4
Workshop 5 (Fully Booked)
11th.
NOVEMBER
Polarities Workshops at the Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast. Open to the public - Click to Register
Begins with presentations from polar perspectives (e.g. “Safeguarding the Union” vs “United Ireland Commissions”) followed by a UISCE session.
02:00 p.m. - Workshop 6
12th
NOVEMBER
Polarity in Skainos Centre, 239 Newtownards Rd, Belfast. Open to the public - Click to Register
02:00 p.m. - Workshop 7
13th
NOVEMBER
Westminster, London. Private session with parliamentarians.
14th
NOVEMBER
Register to Participate
UISCE is inviting communities and leaders across Ireland and the UK to transform division into dialogue.
This is not about avoiding conflict, but about learning to see the “other side” as essential to lasting peace and transformation.