A lecture hall at Manchester University.

NORTH MANCHESTER — Manchester University will host an hour-long program at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, titled “When Conflict Comes To Dinner.”

The free and public event will take place in the upper level of the Jo Young Switzer Center on the North Manchester campus. The interactive program is meant to explore real-life scenarios of how people can have difficult conversations, especially with family members and peers.

The program is designed to be interactive. Participants are encouraged to take an active role in learning the soft skills imperative to productive communication when facing difficult conversations.

“We will explore what conflict means to us and how we can navigate those situations with those who are closest to us — our family and our friends,” said Theresa Onderko, director of the collaboration of Education for Conflict Resolution and Manchester University. “We all play a part in provoking positive change as it relates to how we treat others and allow others to treat us, our family or our friends.”

The lack of proper speaking and listening skills has proven to be a major contributor to misunderstandings between people; they also make it difficult to handle conflict productively once it arises. Communication is an essential tool that lies at the heart of all personal interactions, whether in the family, friendships, the workplace or the public sphere.

This program is meant to help attendees focused on improving communication skills through increased knowledge and practice. It will also help participants to learn how to work together in a collaborative style and make decisions that will make a positive impact. A mix of ECR volunteers will help facilitate the program.

ECR is a nonprofit organization based at Manchester University that seeks to educate and train people about skills that can be used in conflict communication, conflict resolution and conflict transformation.