Practice Learning Circles
Informed by Action Learning
You know someone who could act. You haven’t spoken to them yet. These sessions are designed to help you have that conversation and learn from it alongside others doing the same.
You’ve been to the marches. You’ve signed the petitions. You’ve posted when the images became unbearable. And you’ve watched the institutions that could actually change this – bond markets, law firms, medical associations, universities, insurers – continue to function normally. They have been asked to act. But in ways they can safely ignore.
“The marches matter. The posts matter. But you already know they haven’t been enough. That’s why you’re still reading.”
There is a person in your professional network who is quietly horrified. A colleague, a former classmate, someone in finance, law, medicine, or academia. They follow what’s happening. They feel it. They haven’t found a way to act that fits inside their professional life.
You are the way in. Not by converting them. Not by arguing. By having one conversation that opens a door they’ve been standing near for months.
That conversation is harder than it looks. Not because of the relationship, but because most of us haven’t been trained to speak to people who agree but haven’t moved yet.
Getting that conversation right is what these sessions are for.
What to expect
These sessions are informed by the action learning methodology. The focus is on preparing for and learning from a real conversation you will have with a professional contact during the programme.
Identify one specific contact you will reach out to
Reflect on what makes the conversation difficult and important
Explore your approach through structured questioning and dialogue
Honest reflection, not performance. There is no expectation of getting it right.
Take one concrete step between sessions
Return and learn from what actually happened
Commitment
This is a three-part process. The first session lays the foundation -attending it is essential if you wish to continue. You are strongly encouraged to attend all three sessions. The quality of the space depends on continuity, shared trust, and learning together over time.
How it works
Session 1 (90 mins) – Establishing group trust, identifying your barriers, and deciding who you want to approach.
Session 2 (60 mins) – Reflecting on barriers and progress. What happened when you reached out?
Session 3 (60 mins) – Building on conversations so far and planning your next steps.
Sessions are facilitated by trained specialists giving their time pro bono. What participants learn collectively will be shared with major INGOs working to understand how peer engagement can work at scale.
This is not a webinar
It is not a briefing. It is not a replacement for everything else you are doing. It will not suit everyone, and we mean that honestly rather than as a formality.
- It is a small, serious learning community – groups of 5 to 8 people
- It will only work if you come with a real contact in mind and a genuine willingness to act
- Register only if you are available and committed for the next 3 to 4 weeks
Choose your group
Three groups are running in parallel. Select the group whose dates work best for you and commit to all three sessions.
| Group 1 |
|---|
| Session 1 Thu 23 April 8:00am CET (90 min) |
| Session 2 Thu 7 May 8:00am CET (60 min) |
| Session 3 Thu 21 May 8:00am CET (60 min) |
| Group 2 |
|---|
| Session 1 Mon 27 April 6:00pm CET (90 min) |
| Session 2 Mon 11 May 6:00pm CET (60 min) |
| Session 3 Mon 25 May 6:00pm CET (60 min) |
| Group 3 |
|---|
| Session 1 Wed 29 April 1:00pm CET (90 min) |
| Session 2 Tue 5 May 1:00pm CET (60 min) |
| Session 3 Tue 19 May 1:00pm CET (60 min) |
All times listed in CET. Once you register, you will receive a confirmation with the link to join your sessions and information about your facilitator. Places are strictly limited.
If you cannot make any of these group dates, please add your details here and we will do our best to facilitate an alternative option in the coming weeks.
Meet your Facilitators
Group 1 – Rukmini Iyer
Rukmini Iyer works at the intersection of leadership development, dialogue, and organisational transformation. Her work focuses on how people engage with complexity, conflict, and change in real-world contexts.
Learn more about Rukmini here.
Group 2 – Dr. Kayte Thomas
Dr. Kayte Thomas is a transnational feminist scholar whose work focuses on creating liberatory practices which heal communities experiencing ideological conflict due to differing cultural values. She is particularly interested in the intersection of faith and justice, and works towards interfaith engagement which strengthens Christian-Muslim solidarity.
Learn more about Kayte here.
Group 3 – Theo Cadbury
Theo Cadbury is a peer learning facilitator and participation consultant who specialises in working with groups to work through challenges together through open questioning and peer support. She also runs Shift Circle, a learning community for people trying to shift decision-making towards communities. Her practice is informed by training in Action Learning Set facilitation, Thinking Environment, Lewis Deep Democracy, and consent-based decision-making.
Learn More about Theo here.
Ready to take the step?
Bystanders No More is an all-volunteer, intentionally unfunded organisation. The sessions are free. The facilitation is pro bono. The only thing being asked of you is your time and your commitment.
Any questions? Contact info@bystandersnomore.org