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 percentage of Europeans feel confident in identifying fake news. Dialogue skills can play a crucial role in addressing this issue by fostering critical thinking, active listening, and balanced perspectives. By linking dialogue training with media literacy, the DIAL project offers a comprehensive solution to help individuals navigate complex social and political landscapes. Building on proven methods, such as Finland's Time Out dialogue, DIAL’s low-threshold approach ensures inclusivity, enabling participation even for those who may lack confidence or prior experience.

The innovative model developed by the DIAL project transcends traditional boundaries, extending dialogue from formal settings like classrooms to everyday environments such as workplaces, homes, and community spaces. By framing dialogue as a basic life skill akin to digital literacy or personal health, DIAL empowers people to build trust and mutual understanding in diverse contexts. Its vision of "dialogue for all" envisions a more cohesive Europe, where safe spaces for conversation lead to diminished polarisation and stronger communities. The project’s commitment to creating accessible and impactful tools underscores the vital role of adult education in addressing today’s societal and political challenges.

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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))!

Bring dialogue to the classroom!

At the recent conference organised by the European Association for the Education of Adults in Helsinki in June 2024, Isabell Kempf , Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning , stressed that the social aspects of adult education should not be underestimated, but they often are. She continued that adult education offers opportunities for dialogue, which builds functioning democracies. This is why we as educators of people of all ages should remember to offer opportunities to engage in dialogue in the classroom. Our task is to prepare our learners to a world where dialogue skills help them to participate as family members and citizens. In the Erasmus+ DIAL project we have learned that even though many other soft skills such as communication or time management are given stress in adult education, dialogue skills are often neglected. Besides democratic participation and work skills, the other benefits of including dialogue in the learning experience is that it bring...

'Dialogues Unfolded'

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