The analysis of the 2018 Independence March in Wroclaw in the 2019 Ombudsman’s Report, as well as talks to its participants reveal the problem of social radicalisation and the lack of dialogue between people representing different views. Authors of the report recommend educational activities devoted to communication despite differences, to different cultures, to creation of space of dialogue and to extending anti-discriminatory activities outside Wrocław. According to our research, also journalists from our region wish to cooperate more with one another to prevent misinformation and stigmatisation of people with different views or background.
We will address these needs by running a cycle of thematic dialogue meetings in our hometown Wrocław, but also in Jelenia Góra, Opole and Zgorzelec, attended by individuals related to organisations advocating for minority rights, national and patriotic groups, church associations, football fan organisations, as well as officials responsible for cross-cultural issues. Together we will diagnose important and challenging topics by discussing them. The objective of these meetings is to show that dialogue is possible despite extremely different outlooks and that peaceful coexistence of different social groups is possible. Between meetings we will run workshops strengthening participants’ communication skills – we will talk about how to build understanding and curiosity towards different values, and about what stereotypes are. We will practise violence-free communication and will talk about such issues as patriotism, freedom, or community. Finally, individuals taking part in talks will invent and organise a joint initiative. Furthermore, we will conduct a seminar and workshops for journalists from the Dolnośląskie province to discuss polarising language and to work together on methods minimising discrimination and promoting dialogue and understanding.