Study circles are a type of community dialogue process that can help people explore complex issues, make some decisions and begin to take action. During study circles, members come together to have a dialogue on an issue. It is a community driven process that recruits from all parts of the community. The process begins with community organising and is followed by facilitated, small group dialogue that leads to change. Study circles don't advocate a particular solution. Instead, they welcome many points of view around a shared concern.
A single study circle is a small, diverse group of 8 to 10 members who meet for about 2 hours weekly for 4 to 6 weeks (a' round of study circles'), to address a critical public issue in a democratic and collaborative way. Led by a neutral facilitator, people consider an issue from many points of view while the discussion progresses from personal experiences, to sessions that examine many points of view on the issue, to a session that considers strategies for action and change.
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Although there are many variations on the use and definitions of 'study circles', or 'learning circles' (a term adopted by Australia), the Australian Study Circles Network subscribes to the fundamental principles of the 100 year Swedish tradition of study circles, and the latter western refinement and structure of community wide study circle programs as developed by Everyday Democracy.
The term 'community wide study circle program' therefore recognises both the internationally renowned Swedish 'study circle' approach and the structured 'community wide' process developed and refined by Everyday Democracy over the last two decades.
In this model, there are a set number of study circle sessions, a 'round of circles', which is one stage of the whole community wide study circle program.
