Dialogue enlightens us, represents us, and connects us across all that divides us. That is why we must keep the democratic conversation going and open to everyone.

Brobyggerne ("The Bridge Builders") exists to strengthen dialogue and democratic discourse in Denmark. We work towards a society built on democratic values, where there is room for disagreement. We want everyone to feel equal and welcome in a conversation that is both constructive and critical.

Democracy is not a given. We strive to preserve and develop democracy through continuous dialogue across divisions. We believe that democracy is strengthened when diverse perspectives become part of the conversation.

We recognize that all people are equal, and in every conflict, Brobyggerne strives to promote tolerance in every aspect. Tolerance is a prerequisite for the right to disagree and to be different. We acknowledge that this process can be painful, whilst working towards a society that resolves its conflicts with words and arguments instead of violence or threats.

Brobyggerne's ambition is to be a grassroots movement that collectively makes an effort to embrace difference of opinion. We believe that the responsibility for a democratic dialogue lies both with the individual and in the public sphere. For that reason, we work on both levels. We initiate projects and develop tools that strengthen dialogue and democracy among individuals across demographic divides, organizations, and institutions.

We know that not everything can be solved through dialogue, but we also know that nothing is solved without it.

Dialogue requires courage, perseverance, time, and, above all, patience. Being a bridge builder does not mean being uncritical. Difficult conversations can be uncomfortable, but it is crucial that we do not retreat into the safety of like-minded communities, hiding behind walls of fear of “the other.” This creates distrust and animosity. It furthermore diminishes our willingness to truly listen to one another.

In today’s heated debate climate, personal opinions are often elevated to absolute truths, while opposing viewpoints are harshly dismissed and marginalized as illegitimate. The result is that we engage less, judge more, and become stuck in our own echo chambers.

Brobyggerne seeks to reverse this trend and move toward more dialogue across disagreements. Not because we must always find agreement—on the contrary—opposing viewpoints make for a more dynamic conversation. But one-sided arguments in a polarized debate culture do not make us wiser, neither about each other nor about the world we live in. And we need to grow wiser together if we are to solve the challenges our society faces, both now and in the future.

We strive to weed out prejudices wherever possible, and the most effective tool for that is dialogue and a tolerance for disagreement. We insist on keeping the conversation going, even when consensus is not reached.  We believe that all people are inherently worthy of being listened to. We also believe that just as we have the right to be heard, we have a duty to listen.