Expertise Locations Insights About Support us English International Alert ExpertiseDialogue Dialogue Dialogue has a central role in peacebuilding. The process can help people respond creatively to social and political conflict and lay the foundations for peace and reconciliation. At International Alert, we have been using dialogue as a way to build peace for over 30 years, bringing survivors and perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide together to learn how to live side-by-side in peace, bridging deep divisions between communities and security forces in Timbuktu, Mali, addressing gender-based violence through community dialogue in Mogadishu, Somalia and creating safe spaces for refugee and host communities to address community tensions in Bekaa, Lebanon. Dialogue initiatives bring together parties and stakeholders involved in a conflict situation to improve relationships and build trust, and to jointly develop approaches to conflict resolution. It can be about resolving problems and creating solutions, but it is even more about finding a way to understand one another’s different perspectives and be heard. Dialogue can help people to build trust, respect and relationships amid misunderstandings, suspicion and tensions. By providing a forum where people agree to listen to one another, the first steps toward understanding can be taken. Ongoing dialogue processes transcend negotiated agreements and are more about transforming hostile relationships through interaction, communication and building trust. Ultimately, dialogue is a means for personal and societal change. FEATURED STORY Bridging deep divisions in Mali In Mali, years of insecurity and violence have shattered trust between communities, the state and security forces. We are supporting dialogue forums to improve relations between them and strengthen accountability around security issues. Find out more Recent publications View all publications Community Score Card: A tool to strengthen mutual accountability and community-police partnership Published March 2021 Read publication Constructive dialogues on religion and democracy in Kyrgyzstan: Policy briefs – 2nd compilation Published December 2019 Read publication FEATURED PUBLICATION Community dialogue in Somalia: Lessons learned from implementing peacebuilding dialogues in Mogadishu Lessons learned from a community peacebuilding initiative in Somalia, with tips on designing and implementing similar initiatives. Find out more Recent posts View all posts Rekindling the flame of peace in Migori County, Kenya Published November 2021 Read story Crossing the river to restore peace: Resolving intra and inter-ethnic conflict in Kenya Published September 2021 Read story Contact our team Partnerships and collaboration at the local, national and international level are central to our peacebuilding work. We’d love to hear from you. Full name(Required) Email address(Required) Which team would you like to contact?(Required) Resource Development & Fundraising Global Alert Europe DRC Kenya Kyrgyzstan Lebanon Mali Myanmar Nepal Nigeria Pakistan Philippines Rwanda South Caucasus Syria Tajikistan Tunisia Ukraine Climate crisis and natural resource management Conflict Hub Conflict and gender sensitivity Conflict-sensitive media Dialogue Early warning of violence Gender and peacebuilding Influencing Partnerships Peace economies Preventing gender-based violence Preventing violent extremism Reconciliation and transitional justice Research Security and governance Training Message(Required) CAPTCHA Follow our global social media accounts twitter youtube linkedin facebook instagram Explore our other areas of expertise Our approach Conflict and gender sensitivity Conflict Hub Influencing Partnerships Research Training Themes Climate crisis and natural resource management Conflict-sensitive media Early warning of violence Gender and peacebuilding Peace economies Preventing gender-based violence Preventing violent extremism Reconciliation and transitional justice Security and governance Sign up for updates To receive updates from International Alert, including about our latest toolkits, reports, campaigns and webinars, and examples of how peacebuilders are making real change in their communities, please enter your details. Enter your email We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please read our privacy policy. Our vision is that people and their societies can resolve conflicts without violence, working together to build sustainable and inclusive peace. Expertise Locations Insights About Jobs Media centre Contact us Policies © INTERNATIONAL ALERT. REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 327553 COPYRIGHT TERMS AND CONDITIONS PRIVACY NOTICE TWITTER YOUTUBE LINKEDIN FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM Cookie Control Icon