„Sprechen & Zuhören“

“Talking & Listening” is a dialogue format developed by Mehr Demokratie e. V. that has been tested numerous times, which promotes a democratic culture of conversation and discussion.

In groups of three or four, people talk according to simple rules about how they feel regarding a specific social topic. Here are the key features of the format:

- People speak in small groups of 4 about a question
- Each person speaks equally long: 4 minutes - It is spoken one after another, in turns without interruptions and follow-up questions
- The same 4 people talk three times each, meaning there are 3 rounds of conversation
- In a concluding round, the insights gained can be exchanged

Without having to directly express emotions, feelings become perceptible. This allows everyone to get a sense of “where the other person stands.” Empathy and respect develop while listening, especially when we recognize similarities to our own experiences.

After several rounds of conversation, the participants have become more aware of how deeply they stand on a topic. They have also experienced that democratic understanding is possible. This often leads to more calmness, relaxation, and confidence.