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<p>In the context of societal polarization, an increasing tendency toward refusal to communicate in public discourse becomes apparent. Conflicts often harden to the extent that involved groups politically isolate themselves and perceive each other solely through negative stereotypes. Existing political routines and participation formats barely reach these groups and thus seem limited in their ability to effectively address polarized conflicts. This is where we introduce a&#xa0;new, experimental participation format of <i>testimonial dialogues</i>, which we developed and tested in a&#xa0;pilot project in the Rhenish lignite region. This format addresses the current situation of blocked communication and integrates it into a&#xa0;process through which constructive impulses of democratic exchange can unfold. For this purpose, we invited a&#xa0;group of lignite employees as well as climate activists to several consecutive workshops. Guided by participatory theater artists, the two groups separately from each other developed a&#xa0;testimonial message for the respective other group. This “message in a&#xa0;bottle” was ultimately delivered to the other group, which subsequently allowed for a&#xa0;voluntary meeting of both sides. In this paper we first outline the background considerations of this experiment: With the concept of testimony, we theoretically emphasize an addition to and extension of dominant understandings of political deliberation. We then clarify the meaning of indirect communication and present our key findings: The format enabled a&#xa0;more inclusive, empowering articulation (voice), generated indirect closeness and agonal curiosity, and helped illuminate central communication barriers associated with the conflict constellation. Thus, testimonial dialogues open up low-threshold points of connection for constructive engagement with deep societal conflicts.</p>

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Zeugenschaftsdialoge im Braunkohlerevier. Potenziale einer neuen Form des Umgangs mit harten Konflikten

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月16日

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  • Michel Dormal,
  • Katharina Milde,
  • Hans-Jörg Sigwart

摘要

In the context of societal polarization, an increasing tendency toward refusal to communicate in public discourse becomes apparent. Conflicts often harden to the extent that involved groups politically isolate themselves and perceive each other solely through negative stereotypes. Existing political routines and participation formats barely reach these groups and thus seem limited in their ability to effectively address polarized conflicts. This is where we introduce a new, experimental participation format of testimonial dialogues, which we developed and tested in a pilot project in the Rhenish lignite region. This format addresses the current situation of blocked communication and integrates it into a process through which constructive impulses of democratic exchange can unfold. For this purpose, we invited a group of lignite employees as well as climate activists to several consecutive workshops. Guided by participatory theater artists, the two groups separately from each other developed a testimonial message for the respective other group. This “message in a bottle” was ultimately delivered to the other group, which subsequently allowed for a voluntary meeting of both sides. In this paper we first outline the background considerations of this experiment: With the concept of testimony, we theoretically emphasize an addition to and extension of dominant understandings of political deliberation. We then clarify the meaning of indirect communication and present our key findings: The format enabled a more inclusive, empowering articulation (voice), generated indirect closeness and agonal curiosity, and helped illuminate central communication barriers associated with the conflict constellation. Thus, testimonial dialogues open up low-threshold points of connection for constructive engagement with deep societal conflicts.