Finns enjoy a good dialogue but participate less than before, according to a national survey

The DIAL project’s coordinator, The Sivis Study Centre from Finland, has been taking part in the national Well said (Hyvin sanottu) campaign for a few years. The campaign is coordinated by the public service broadcaster YLE, and its idea is to create safe spaces for dialogue and to strengthen mutual trust. One of the activities is the Well said festival, where we have facilitated dialogues every year.

One part of the campaign is a national survey on dialogue. This year, 76 % of the respondents said they enjoy deep conversations and over 90 % agreed that listening is vital in dialogue – a skill we have tried to address in the DIAL project as well.

However, people are quite worried that the culture of conversation and dialogue has deteriorated in the last year. This year 67 % of the respondents thought so. Most respondents call for more respect in public discussions and on social media.

It might be a consequence of increasing polarisation, but this time 22 % of the respondents said that they follow public discussions and debates less than before and 26 % said that they themselves participate less. There is a clear chance that some voices won’t be heard.

We can still be hopeful that the culture will eventually change, as most respondents would like to take part in dialogues, and over 90 % of them think that freedom of speech also includes responsibility. As adult educators we are in a good position to change the culture by offering spaces for dialogue and by strengthening the basic skills of dialogue: reflection, listening, speaking and sustaining one’s response. It is also our responsibility! We have provided materials to help you, which you can find in six languages here: https://eurolocaldevelopment.org/dial-2/

How would these figures look like in your country?

You can find a Finnish-language summary of the survey here: https://yle.fi/aihe/a/20-10007093

Comments

Civil dialogue in EU - citizens' voices be heard

Civil dialogue holds a crucial place in efforts to strengthen participatory democracy within the European Union (EU), shaping a more inclusive and transparent decision-making process. The EU Civil Society Contact Group defines civil dialogue as an interaction between public institutions and civil society organizations (CSOs), grounded in mutual recognition and responsiveness. It spans various levels of engagement, from informal consultations to legally recognized frameworks. This dialogue is essential within the EU’s intricate institutional landscape, where policymakers often seem detached from citizens. By facilitating direct interaction between policymakers and civil society, civil dialogue ensures diverse societal perspectives inform decision-making, fostering trust, accountability, and institutional responsiveness. The importance of civil dialogue intensifies within the broader debate on participatory democracy across national and European levels. Democracy transcends elections, in...

DIAL Project was labelled as a "Good Practice" Project

We are pleased to share information that the DIAL project has been labelled as a “ Good Practice ” project by Erasmus+. “ Good Practice ” is a label awarded by Erasmus+ to completed projects that have been particularly well managed and their method and outcomes can be a source of inspiration for others. The assessment takes into account the relevance of the project results and objectives, the quality of the project management and the impact and dissemination of the project results. The DIAL project card on the Erasmus+ Project Results platform can be viewed in this link , for your information. We warmly thank the Finnish Erasmus+ Agency for this award! Congratulations to our coordinator ( Opintotoiminnan Keskusliitto ry ) and all the partners ( Cooperazione Paesi Emergenti (IT), FUNDACJA CENTRUM CYFROWE (PL), GLOTTA NOVA center za novo znanje, d.o.o. (SI), EYROPAIKO INSTITOYTO TOPIKHS ANAPTYKSHS (EL))!

Tackling Polarisation Through Dialogue?

In a rapidly changing world, societal and political polarisation is becoming an increasingly critical issue, eroding trust and fostering division. The Dialogue in Adult Learning (DIAL) Erasmus Plus project addresses this challenge by equipping adults with essential dialogue skills. Polarisation often stems from and perpetuates a lack of meaningful conversation, creating barriers to understanding and cooperation. DIAL aims to bridge this gap by developing a model tailored for adults, empowering individuals to engage constructively in everyday discussions. This initiative aligns with the European Association for the Education of Adults' call to prioritize dialogue training, recognizing its potential to counteract "us vs. them" thinking and strengthen the foundations of European democracy. One of the most pressing societal challenges today is the spread of misinformation, which thrives on polarisation and emotional reactions. According to recent studies, only a small percent...

'Dialogues Unfolded'

Search This Blog