Talks that we have had with leaders of Rural Homemakers’ Clubs in the Łowicki district (Mazowieckie province) indicate that local communities are facing the problem of low dialogue culture – inhabitants often cannot talk to one another about public matters (also the ones affecting their immediate surrounding), do not try to understand one another, as a result of which they are reluctant to participate in local life. Our experience indicates that local leaders have numerous ideas and initiatives, but they do not have sufficient knowledge to implement them. Moreover, our discussions with secondary school youths show that they are interested in various forms of activity, but they see no occasions to manifest their ingenuity.
To address these challenges, we will run workshops and dialogue sessions on how to talk despite differences for Rural Homemakers’ Clubs and other inhabitants of rural communes from the Łowicz district interested in this topic. These will include training sessions and hands-on meetings devoted to talks despite differences and planning local activities. During dialogue sessions we will discuss local issues and work on solutions together. We will organise a competition for secondary school youths who will be asked to record clips on the art of dialogue. We will create a website with educational materials on talking despite differences and communication, sharing activity scenarios and manuals.