Coalition for Dialogue and Collaboration in Politics

The initiative will be a collaborative Research & Development Hub dedicated to the study of political dialogue and collaboration tools to support effective solution-building for policymaking.

 

Through the activation of selected partnerships across Europe and the world, we aim to deliver new knowledge and tools for more constructive political exchanges to serve and strengthen our democracies at a time of extreme political division and stagnation.

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Ten years of experimenting with political dialogue spaces across parties and borders, bringing together hundreds of politicians through the Open European Dialogue program, have taught us beyond a reasonable doubt that dialogue and collaboration spaces are incredibly powerful tools for renewing trust, sharpening thinking, and refining political vision and values.​​

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​​In Defence of Dialogue

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We believe that dialogue and, in turn, political collaboration are not just a “nice to have,” but a utilitarian and ethical necessity for a just democracy.

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Dialogue is a utilitarian necessity, an essential tool to sharpen our political thinking.

Engaging in dialogue sharpens one’s own policy ideas, vision and values. Avoiding engagement with opposing views diminishes our capacity to shape a more informed and cohesive future. In an era where the political solutions available seem unsatisfactory, dialogue is a unique and powerful diagnostic instrument to refine our understanding of and dissect political problems and narratives. It is an instrument which, following Weber’s “ethics of responsibility” (Weber 1919), political actors cannot responsibly opt out of using.
 

Dialogue is an ethical imperative, the foundational value on which democracy is built.

 

For a democracy to function, dialogue is non-negotiable. At its core, it represents our ability to recognise the humanity of others and the inherent trade-offs which are inescapable in any democratic community. In times of profound division, it is one of the few instruments that can act as an antidote to violence and defuse the dangers of a society increasingly desensitised to political aggression and the legitimacy of political differences. This defence of dialogue is rooted in an “ethics of conviction” (Weber 1919): by upholding dialogue we demonstrate a commitment to democracy - even if and when this forces us to face discomfort, as democracy relies on our ability to hold difficult conversations and collaboratively navigate conflict.

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Our Call to Action

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Dialogue is an ethical imperative for a functioning and legitimate democracy, and we have a responsibility to make use of it as a tool for improving political thinking and outcomes, especially in times of political crisis.

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We believe it is indispensable and urgent to invest in gaining a deeper understanding of the nature of dialogue and collaboration in the political sphere, and its practical applications for improved policymaking.

 

The health of our democracy depends upon it.

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We are looking to identify and connect with interested partners, from non-profit organizations, to funders and experts who are keen to support the development of the Coalition for Dialogue and Collaboration in Politics. If you are intrigued and would like to find out more, please get in touch with us using the expression of interest form below.

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​​Dialogue is our most powerful democratic tool, but, in an age of division, it is also the most threatened.

The time to act is now. Join us. ​