The exercise and practice of dialogue can be traced back thousands of years, perhaps even to the beginning of civilisation.
In more recent times there has been a surge of interest in dialogue, with the use of the term and its application proliferating within the disciplines of peacebuilding and development, but also in other fields such as education and public policy.
The growing interest in dialogue can perhaps in part be attributed to the growing and deepening polarisation that exists in many communities across the globe and both manifests itself in and is further fuelled by strong and adverse geopolitical interests.
Many therefore recognise the need for more space and means to engage in genuine dialogue, among and between communities, between political parties and within global multilateral bodies.
This volume aims to deepen understanding and awareness of dialogue as a critical aspect of and tool for peacebuilding and for strengthening social cohesion. It features articles by practitioners and scholars who share their experiences, including successes and challenges, in working to promote listening and greater understanding between groups.
Contents
Foreword
Henrik Hammargren
Introduction
Sigrid Gruener, Sarah Smith and Matilda Hald
Part One
Conceptualising Dialogue
Dag Hammarskjöld on dialogue
Henning Melber
Better together: Trends in dialogue and mediation
Sebastian Kratzer
Emotional intelligence, humility and ‘sisu’: Requirements for facilitating dialogue
Janna Greve
Part Two
Practising Dialogue: Country Perspectives
When ‘dialogue’ becomes a dirty word: The case of Venezuela
Michael Camilleri and Riva Kantowitz
On the frontlines of sustaining peace in Colombia
Borja Paladini Adell
On history through the human eye:
Moving Israelis and Palestinians beyond exclusive truths
Robi Damelin
Palestinian youth dialogue: Building a more inclusive society
Qais As’ad
A snapshot from Lebanon
Interview with Shirine Jurdi
The art of dialogue in a polarised region
Yana Abu Taleb
A snapshot from Myanmar
Reflections from Ko Ko Lwin
Blending mediation and dialogue in Somalia
Simon Richards and Mohamed Shale Billow
Amplifying polarity for dialogue in Sweden
Bernard le Roux
Part Three
Practising Dialogue: Thematic Perspectives
External support for internal dialogue
By Samuel Rizk
Academic dialogue for peace
By Peter Wallensteen
Stories from a global network of young peacebuilders
Young women participating in dialogue
Sirri Cynthia Wakuna Ngang
Young leaders promoting conversation rather than agreement
Interview with Ilias Alami
The ‘Dialogue for Peaceful Change’ methodology
Sarah Dolah
Taking dialogue online
By Rafael Tyszblat
Women for conflict transformation: Perspectives from South Asia
By Salma Malik
Bridging faiths and worldviews through dialogue
By Edla Puoskari and Alessandro Rossi
Insider reconcilers: Dialogue for sustaining peace
By Antti Pentikäinen
