To discuss, as well as to understand the other - you need to learn: what are the essential elements of a cultural conversation?

An ill-timed word or an unpleasant way of speaking can also provoke an argument, so it is useful to know how to talk in order to keep the conversation mutually pleasant. A discussion is an opportunity to broaden one's point of view and grow intellectually for all its participants - Ieva Kulikauskienė, an associate consultant at OVC Consulting, who teaches the intricacies of public speaking and audience management, is convinced of this. She explains how a normal conversation differs from a debate, talks about the culture of debate and shares tips for a cultured conversation.

It is important to listen to the other person, and when expressing an opinion, to argue

According to associate consultant Ieva Kulikauskienė, discussion is one of the forms of communication, but it differs from a normal conversation in that when sharing opinions, we have to justify them.

"In general, we can call it simply a conversation between people, an everyday natural phenomenon. However, looking more broadly, discussion is very important, because it is through high-quality discussion that we can see the world through other people's eyes, learn new facts, find solutions and ensure that progress will take place in life. A discussion is an opportunity to share opinions, however, they must be based on facts and clear - this is what makes a discussion different from a normal conversation, during which we can talk about anything without presenting any arguments. You need to know how to debate", I. Kulikauskienė is convinced.

The specialist notes that the most important thing in the discussion is mutual respect. "This is the most important feature of the debate. When speaking, it is important to constructively teach your thoughts and listen to the other person's words, regardless of how fiercely you want to defend your opinion, how strongly we are convinced of our truth - after all, we can always share it responsibly, with dignity and without trying to change the interlocutor. Trying to change a person's thinking in a short period of time, which has been formed for a dozen or several decades, is simply pointless", - I. Kulikauskienė emphasizes the importance of a respectful conversation.

A consultant who teaches conversational culture singles out one phrase often used in discussions, which can be avoided by avoiding disagreement.

"If we didn't use the phrase 'but I' during the conversation, but instead said, for example, 'I understand that your opinion is different, I'll tell you why I think differently', we would show the interlocutor that we not only want to express our opinion, but also respect what he expressed thought The most important thing is to hear what the interlocutor is saying, and not to close in on yourself. It's really not necessary to adopt another person's opinion, but you can accept it and then explain why we have a different point of view", - I. Kulikauskienė shares the fundamental principles of the discussion.

According to her, the purpose of the discussion is not to reach a unified opinion, but to strive for different points of view to lead to a unified goal or to open up opportunities to learn about the arguments of another person.

You are invited to experience the debate culture at the debate festival "Būtent!"

September 2-3 The debate festival "Būtent!" will be held in Biršton for the fourth time. The festival unites public citizens, business, science, non-governmental organizations and political representatives. This is an open, non-political, free event, the purpose of which is to promote a culture of discussion and listening, tolerance for different points of view, and civic engagement in the country.

Arnas Marcinkus, one of the organizers of the festival, claims that the discussion is far from being a place for empty talk, but a mutual flow of constructive thoughts.

"Discussion, like understanding the other, requires skill. Only by knowing the essential principles of cultural discussion can we conduct a polite conversation and participate in it ourselves. Discussion festival "Būtent!" is a place for exactly such cultural discussions, so we are organizing training for all moderators of the festival discussions, during which we will discuss the intricacies of public speaking and audience management. At the festival, we are guided by four essential principles: openness to the diversity of opinions, respectful listening and expressing one's opinion, active participation and involvement, and constructive criticism. And the word "Exactly!" reflects that moment of the discussion, when the participants of the discussion, having presented their arguments, reach a mutual understanding. We aim for the festival to become a place of such consensus", - says A. Marcinkus about the festival.