Dialogue has been around as long as humans faced with a crisis have gathered in circles to talk. It is one of the oldest forms of conflict resolution and is still, when well-conceived and executed, one of the most effective. It comes as no surprise, then, that dialogue is used regularly by experts at USIP and peacebuilders around the world as one tool to manage conflict nonviolently.  Despite its usefulness, it can sometimes be difficult to know what, exactly, constitutes "dialogue." 

One way to define dialogue is “a dynamic process of joint inquiry and listening to diverse views, where the intention is to discover, learn and transform relationships in order to address practical and structural problems in a society.”  It involves face-to-face encounters in focused, facilitated groups with participants representing various stakeholders, and emphasizes:

• deep listening,
• participation based on agreed-upon norms and procedures, and
• exploration of complex issues related to identity and conflict, community or national priorities, or contentious socio-political issues.

To better understand dialogue, it can be useful to compare it to other forms of communication. In the Dialogue Versus Debate handout, the processes and purposes of dialogue become more apparent in contrast to those of debate. 

As you consider how dialogue might be useful in conflict settings or your own life and community, this handout may offer insight into the nature of dialogue and how it can be used to build relationships and mutual understanding. With this greater understanding of dialogue, you might even identify opportunities to employ dialogue as a tool to inspire profound intra- and interpersonal transformation, which can be crucial components of peacebuilding and conflict management.

This page is partially adapted from "Dialogue: Calming Hot Spots Calls for Structure and Skill" by Alison Milofsky and Maria Jessop, both of whom work in USIP’s Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding.