Ethiopia Libya Inter-group dialogue, or dialogue between two or more groups of people who identify themselves as having some significant differences, is a special form of communication. It might be a one-time event, or a series of conversations. It might span hours, months, or years. It might be structured or unstructured, facilitated by a third party, or non-facilitated.
Dialogue is a fundamental component in the process of peacebuilding.
Peacebuilding means creating a human infrastructure for relationships that are harmonious, synergistic, cooperative, respectful, and mutually beneficial. When people are divided by their differences, the patterns of relating tend to reinforce separation, fragmentation, and divisiveness. In situations of severe conflict, the lack of communication breeds mistrust, distorted views, cycles of hurt and revenge, blame, and anger. Dialogue is a way of creating bridges across the chasms of our differences. It generates pathways for developing trust, changing old habits of thought and action, and trying new behaviors.