We build bridges with dialogue

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

Bridge Builders - Center for Dialogue Coffee was created to strengthen dialogue and democratic conversation in Denmark. We work for a society based on democratic values with room for disagreement and diversity, where everyone feels equally welcome and able to participate in constructive and critical conversation.

Democracy is not a given. We work to preserve and develop democracy through continued dialogue across divides and differences. We believe that democratic community is strengthened when diversity of opinion persists.

We recognize that all people are equal, and regardsless of the conflict, the Bridge Builders works towards tolerance on all fronts. Tolerance is a prerequisite for the freedom to disagree and differ. We realize that this process can be painful, but we work for a society that handles its conflicts with words and arguments, not with violence or threats.

The Bridge Builders' ambition is to be a people's movement that works together to collectively embrace and tolerate diversity. We believe that the responsibility for democratic conversation lies with both the individual and the community, which is why we engage with and work on both levels. We initiate projects and develop tools that strengthen dialogue and democracy among individuals, communities, organizations and institutions.

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

We have a duty to listen

Dialogue requires courage, persistence, time and, not least, patience. Being a bridge builder is not the same as being uncritical. Critical conversations can be uncomfortable, but it's important that we don't shelter behind walls with our peers out of fear of all the "others". This creates mistrust, cultivates enemy images and an unwillingness to listen to each other.

In the heated climate of debate, where our own opinions are elevated to absolute truths and our opponents' views are harshly suppressed and marginalized as illegitimate, the consequence is that we interfere less, judge more and remain idle in our own echo chambers.

The Bridge Builders association wants to reverse the trend and lead it towards more dialogue across differences. Not because we must agree on everything; on the contrary, opposites create dynamics. But because one-sided arguments in a polarized debate do not make us wiser, neither about each other nor the world we live in. And we need to become smarter together if we are to solve the challenges of our society, now and in the future.

At the Bridge Builders , we want to weed out prejudice, and the most effective weed burner is dialogue and tolerance for disagreement. We insist on keeping the conversation going, even if we don't reach agreement. That doesn't mean the good vibe has to disappear, as long as we're able to talk about the hard stuff without making each other look bad.

We believe that all people have value and that all people are equal. We likewise believe that just as you have the right to be heard, you have an obligation to listen.

Erling Brodersen - Brobyggerne Debat om Ytringsfrihed 02 2592

WEB_Brobyggerne_Aarhus23.09-20©PhotoBenteSimoneJæger-4

Mission statement

The Bridge Builders mission is to promote dialogue, understanding and tolerance between people with opposing views, values and ways of life.

Vision

We want to promote a society that handles its conflicts and disagreements with words and arguments - not violence and threats.

Our core values

Curiosity

We take personal responsibility to avoid bias and strive to learn more about ourselves and others. We are clear about our democratic standpoint and at the same time we strive to be aware of our own prejudices, blind spots, echo chambers or biases. We do not seek consensus at all costs, but want to make room for diversity of opinion within the framework of a democratic society.

Tolerance

We believe that every individual has the freedom, but also the right, to be different and to disagree. We work from the thesis that tolerance makes freedom possible, and freedom makes tolerance necessary. We believe that all people are equal, and regardless of the conflict, the Bridge Builders works to promote tolerance on both sides of the bridge.

Effort

We strive to do our best to promote connection, understanding and tolerance between people whose opinions, values and ways of life clash. We feel an obligation to work for a society where there is as much freedom as possible to be different and to disagree.

Bridge Builders

The Bridge Builders - Center for Dialogue Coffee was created to strengthen dialogue, tolerance and understanding between people with different opinions, values and ways of life.

We want to promote a society that handles its conflicts and disagreements with words and arguments - not violence and threats.