Refugees, immigrants, and repatriated Greek-Pontians from the ex-Soviet Union in Greece: An educational experience

Abstract In this paper we describe our “dialogical” experience with the facilitation of a group within a learning program for refugees, immigrants, and repatriated Greek-Pontians from the ex-Soviet Union. Inspired by the work of Martin Buber and Carl Rogers, the “dialogical dimension” is perceived by the author as the framework wherein the real meeting between the members can be realized. The facilitator was not the leader in the strict sense of the term, but he attempted to develop a climate which was psychologically safe and in which participants could express themselves freely. Four interconnected dialogical elements that arose from the group sessions through members’ expressions are discussed: the person and a sense of community, presence, inclusion, and meaning.