Mohammed Gaber – MEM Summit 2024

The Middle East Mediterranean (MEM) Summit in Lugano, Switzerland, held in November 2024, provided an opportunity to meet inspiring young change leaders representing different countries from the region. The diverse views and experiences from their unique walks of life enriched our working group discussions on the complex geopolitical and cultural issues affecting the region. I learned a lot from my peers during the Summit, which inspired this brief paper to highlight some key factors for successful dialogue. I hope this will help us face our current challenges.

Introduction

This paper provides a framework of key principles and approaches for enabling dialogue that is effective and meaningful in diverse and complicated contexts. It also points to the duty of individuals who are participating and mediators who are supporting this process. Conversely, it highlights barriers that could impede constructive dialogue and recommends how to overcome them. The paper attempts to provide actionable insights to mediators and participants from which constructive collaboration can develop a positive environment for future dialogue.

10 factors that foster a successful dialogue

Respect for the Process and its Participants

It is essential to respect the dialogue process and those participating to ensure a successful outcome. Mediators should create an environment of respect, where disparate perspectives are not just accepted but valued as an important part of any conversation.

Fostering a Safe Space for Engagement

Participants should help to keep the space safe, using language that is constructive, non-judgmental, and allowing others to be as open as possible. Mediators must set ground rules to protect participants from harm or retribution; people must be able to speak their truth without fear. But the mediator must make sure to separate views, when they are facts, from opinions.

Collaborative Goal Setting

It is crucial to work on a set of ultimate goals from all those participating in dialogue; however, they need to be realistic and unanimously agreed. Mediators will help establish that this is not just an exercise in talking but has concrete objectives and way forward.

Promote Empathy and Build Trust

Participants should join the conversations with hope and optimism. It is also important that they remember their shared humanity; walk in other people’s shoes and see through their eyes based on lived experience as a step towards bridging divides. Mediators should apply trust-building activities with sustained interaction among participants.

Recognizing Inclusion and Equality

One of the most important part of the dialogue is to welcome different views and to make sure all voices, especially the silenced voices are heard. Mediators should avoid any single group or perspective dominating the dialogue and ensure cultural values are brought into dialogue across the entire conversation.

Supporting Sustainable Outcomes

Contributions from participants should be long-term focused and solution oriented. Not just acceptable in the moment, but fully considered and sustainable going forward. Mediators play an important role in sustaining the momentum generated through successful dialogue and ensuring that there are gains through implementation processes.

Dealing With Conflict in a Positive Way

Participants should avoid anything that triggers confrontation or which leads to conflict; however, when these situations arise, they should be willing to engage in conflict resolution activities to release tensions. Mediators are there to deal with issues and should promote resolution through collective problem solving rather than separating conflicting individuals. Mediators also need to pay attention to non-verbal and implicit communication which may help identify and address concerns immediately.

Being Flexible

Being flexible and open fosters growth and creativity and resolves barriers, which is critical for those participating in dialogue. Mediators should monitor the success of the dialogue and adjust their methods dynamically. Moreover, they should prompt participants to see goals as a flexible rather than fixed targets. This enables the group to fine-tune goals in the course of discussion.

Listening actively

Apply deep listening that supports understanding, empathy and compassion for others — especially for those with whom we disagree. Adopt a self-critical approach to encourage meaningful conversations and reflection, which will assist with exploring other people’s point of view more comprehensively. Mediators could summarize points from each participant to help clarify and validate what is being said. Such listening builds trust, letting participants know that their voices are being respected and heard.

Willingness to Engage in Dialogue

Dialogue is enriched by a readiness to ask clarification questions and a genuine interest in other’s views. Participants should be willing to foster a connection based on trust and openness that facilitates authentic exchange. Mediators are also fundamental in this step as they allow the drive and focus of the ultimate goal to remain alive.

10 factors that can damage dialogue

‘I’ vs. ‘You’ Statements

Dialogue that turns to ‘I versus you’ language separates those involved and becomes combative. When a comment indicates difference rather than sameness, it can then lead to blame and/or trigger defensiveness which can be an obstacle to trust and understanding.

Comparing Traumas

Participants comparing their experiences of trauma and/or pain or suffering could weaken dialogue. This dilutes the distinctiveness of personal experiences and endeavours to establish a pecking order of pain, thereby removing any semblance of compassion from the discourse and not promoting an environment where all voices are equal.

Different Interpretations

Disconnection that inhibits dialogue can arise from misunderstanding a word or the mind behind it and, at times, non-verbal cues. Varied cultural backgrounds, personal experiences or even minor miscommunication can lead to unintended offense or confusion. In order to communicate effectively, active listening and clarifying questions are necessary for ensuring the same understanding.

Gap Between Citizens and Government

When the public perceives that government actions, or even policies designed to benefit them with respect to various issues, are not in line with their needs, it may create distrust and leave less room for frank discussions. People will tune out when they believe that what you have to say has no value, and rather than trying to engage people if someone feels disdained by those in power, then a conversation is not dialogue but rather something empty or pointless.

Breaking Confidentiality

Trust is the basis of dialogue and breach of confidences erodes that trust resulting in unwillingness to share freely. This fear of disclosure drives such a wedge between the conversations that it loses its richness and honesty with people fears about what they express in private.

No Dialogue with Violence

Dialogue and violence, intimidation or aggression (either verbal or physical) cannot coexist. Violence (or the threat thereof) silences voices and prevents open dialogue that is essential for positive outcomes.

Power Imbalances

If one part of a conversation possesses a lot of power in relation to the other — be it through money, or authority or simply taking credence from social posturing — genuine dialogue is impossible.

Emotional Reactivity

This is where dialogue can get quickly derailed: when participants respond emotionally instead of thoughtfully. Emotional responses, like anger, frustration or even defensiveness, often place spur-of-the-moment comments in front of sensible debate.

No Common Goals or Missed Purpose

What happens during dialogue is that the participants may have very different intentions or a contradictory purpose, or there simply is no point to it all. If one party is simply looking to resolve a problem, while the other only wishes to vent or argue, it sets off misalignment and frustration.

Unresolved Past Conflicts

History of unaddressed tensions between participants only serves to increase tension and inhibit openness in dialogue. Persistent grievances or previous misunderstandings may return causing defensiveness or distrust. Clearing the slate of past tensions or offenses can help prevent such fall back from seeping underneath current attempts at dialogue.