Dialogue is important

The importance of dialogue skills in our time

Challenges of the present

In view of the challenges of our time, the ability to engage in dialogue is becoming increasingly important. These challenges include

  • overpopulation
  • irretrievable consumption of natural resources
  • climate change
  • legitimacy crises of democratically organised states and organisations
  • the management of global goods and financial markets
  • the advancing digitalisation of economic processes and social communication.

These challenges harbour a potential for conflict and show the danger of increasing polarisation.

The role of dialogue skills

The ability to engage in dialogue is crucial for a future-oriented and humanitarian society. To engage in dialogue includes:

  • Reflecting on the basis of human encounter and exchange
  • the ability to set aside one’s own assumptions and judgements
  • exploring one’s own and others’ values, ways of thinking and behaviour
  • placing the unifying factor at the centre
  • understanding why my counterpart does » this and that«
  • sharpening perception in order to recognise, question and set aside judgement, stereotypes, prejudices and belief systems
  • develop a peaceful attitude towards the challenges of the present.

Promoting dialogue skills

Developing dialogue skills requires a lively exchange that enables knowledge and views to be shared, opinions to be expressed and mutual understanding to be developed. At the same time, dialogue can convey a sense of solidarity in moments of conflict and tension. This applies on a personal, political and social level. In the globalised world of the 21st century, the ability to engage in dialogue is becoming a crucial skill.

Why is dialogue important to us?

Dialogue as a participatory approach sees every person and their opinion(s) and point(s) of view as equal.

In In a time of polarity, increasing black-and-white thinking and division in society, dialogue is a way of creating connections and bridges between different people, cultures, nations and religions.

Principles of the United Nations 2030 Agenda

As part of the 2030 Agenda, the United Nations Organisation (UNO) formulated the following principles and commitments:

»We commit to promoting intercultural understanding, tolerance, mutual respect and an ethos of global citizenship and shared responsibility. We recognise the natural and cultural diversity of the world and acknowledge that all cultures and civilisations can contribute to and are key drivers of sustainable development.«

The Munich Forum for Dialogue

contributes to the realisation of these principles by implementing bilateral educational projects, dialogue formats, conferences, lectures and exhibitions on development cooperation.

We promote social dialogue projects according to our motto:

MFD-Team_WEB_10
Joachim Scheurer,
Managing Director of the Munich Forum for Dialogue

»When empathy, knowledge and communication come together, dialogue is born.«

Definition according to the dictionary

  • Noun
  • Phonetic spelling: 🔉
  • Meanings, e.g.
    • Speech and counter-speech conducted alternately by two or more persons, dialogue, alternating speech
    • Discussions held between two interest groups with the aim of familiarising themselves with each other’s points of view
    • Synonyms for dialogue: argument, debate, discussion, talk, discourse
    • Antonym for dialogue: monologue

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Our passion for development cooperation and social dialogue drives us to bring about sustainable change and promote positive social development. We firmly believe that through continuous effort and committed action, a real difference can be made.