Christmas greetings from Özlem

For many, Christmas is the time of year when they can relax in a safe environment and loving company.

For at least as many, however, it is also a time that tests both patience and tolerance.

Regardless of which category you belong to, Christmas is a reminder that the need for bridge-building is alive and well.

"The gift that builds bridges" was incredibly popular last year, so we are offering it again this year: We believe it fits into the uplifting category: a donation to Brobyggerne (Bridge Builders) so that we can continue our work for conversational democracy.

We will send you a digital thank-you card featuring a unique painting by Camilla Blachmann, created in support of our work. Read more here.

If you need to fill the space under the Christmas tree, I can also tell you that you can get a lot of good and educational moments out of the Bridge Builder game.

We have also just reduced the price of all books in our webshop! You can find the webshop with our merchandise right here. Order before December 19 at 2 p.m. so that your package can arrive before Christmas.

Is there hope for the green dialogue?

In March 2024, we launched our project, Green Dialogue Coffee. Over the next three years, we will use the project to strengthen the dialogue on the green transition and counteract polarization in the debate.

We have successfully held Green Dialogue Coffee events in Nyborg, Bjerringbro, and Aalborg.

Here, we brought together local actors from civil society, business, politics, and youth organizations to nuance the debate on local climate and environmental issues.

We are kicking off the new year with a round of Green Dialogue Coffee at Rysensteen Gymnasium in Copenhagen under the headingHunger Strike and Green Party: Is there hope for green dialogue? The program is being updated regularly, but you can already look forward to meeting activist Selma De Montgomery, politician Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil, and PhD Nikoline Borgermann. As usual, I will be moderating the panel discussion.

It will take place on January 28, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Read more and register here – it's free! We hope to see you there.

Are you coming to the US lecture in Aarhus?

You probably already know this. I was in the US on a dialogue tour leading up to the fateful election that ended in a big victory for Trump.

During the trip, I tried to gain a better understanding of the polarization in the US and what we can learn from it here at home. I met with Trump and Harris voters, Latinos, women's rights activists, campaigners, dialogue experts, religious bridge builders, Danish-Americans, passionate advocates fighting fake news, university lecturers, and many others.

I have compiled all the stories and pictures into a lecture – and you are invited.

The event will take placeonJanuary 7, 2025, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Dokk1 in Aarhus.

I hope to see many of our friends and supporting members from Jutland! Buy your ticket here.

If you (or your family or friends) are not yet a supporting member of Brobyggerne, you can become one for just DKK 100 per year – but you are also welcome to give more. 

You can also support Brobyggernes work with a donation of any amount. Donations of at least DKK 200 are tax deductible.

Thank you for your support – it means the world to us!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Best regards

Özlem Cekic

Secretary General,
Brobyggerne – Center for Dialogkaffe