HOPE in polarized societies | What Europe may learn from the Polish public dialogue movement

Poland is emerging as a new European power - both militarily, economically and strategically. Despite polarized politics, authoritarian trends, and the flow of incoming refugees from Ukraine - Poland is developing a promising social model for democratic preparedness in a troubled world. What may other countries learn from the Polish public dialogue movement?

Civil society in Poland is strong and well-organized. In recent years, several Polish organizations such as Education for Democracy (FED) have turned to Norwegian institutions such as Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue and The European Wergeland Center to obtain knowledge and expertise for the development of democratic preparedness. The result is an impressive public dialogue movement with strong ties to Ukraine, due to the flow of refugees and migrants from Poland’s war torn neigbour. A promising case for democratic preparednesst that also Norway and other European countries may learn from and be inspired by.

In the years to come, Poland will receive 30 percent of Norwegian EEA funds - totalling 83 million Euros. Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue and The European Wergeland Center have been deeply involved in Polish civil society for many years, and are now stepping up their commitment to strengthening democratic preparedness in both Poland and neighboring Ukraine.

Poland - the most populous of the new EU countries in Eastern Europe - is the world's second largest recipient of Ukrainian refugees. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, more than 1.5 million people have fled og migrated to neighboring Poland. The impressive humanitarian effort by Poland also creates friction and conflicts, which civil society is actively working to transform into constructive community building. One of the methods used to create increased political self-confidence is public dialogue developed by Norwegian peace and human rights organizations.

Public dialogue has quickly gained solid popularity and support in Poland - and appear as a promosing model for building democratic preparedness. A model that other Europeaen countries may learn from in times of increasing polarization.