EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Day of Dialogue

Day of Dialogue - Amsterdam

Introduction

Residents of Amsterdam discussed what being a resident of Amsterdam meant to them at more than 120 dialogue tables.

Problem

How can one increase the community spirit among groups of individuals?

Description

What is working well and what is not in Amsterdam? What can you do as an individual to make Amsterdam more liveable? The tables were organised by more than 90 of the city’s organisations - community centres, businesses, schools, coffee shops, mosques, churches and museums.

Approach

The first Day of Dialogue took place on 21 December 2004, after Rotterdam’s earlier example. During this meeting, residents of Amsterdam from various backgrounds talked at dialogue tables spread over the whole city about housing, living and working in Amsterdam. At the tables were six to eight participants and a discussion leader. Several leading questions in the discussion were:

When do you feel like a genuine resident of Amsterdam?
Describe a number of examples where living side by side goes well or precisely does not.
What are your expectations of the people with whom you live?
What can you do in order to live together peacefully in Amsterdam?

The Day of Dialogue in Amsterdam was a great success. More than 120 tables were organised by more than 90 organisations. Characteristic of the dialogue is that the participants take part in the discussions with an open mind and an inquiring attitude, such that deepening and space for community spirit is created.

Results

The project was very successful.
The residents of Amsterdam are talking to each other, hence more understanding and mutual respect has been created.
Concrete ideas for the improvement of social cohesion in Amsterdam.
The Day of Dialogue in Amsterdam has turned into an annual event.

Contact info

Platform Dialogue Amsterdam
Ms D. Driessen and Ms O. Plokhooij, tel. +31 20 6707700

Project start date

15/11/2004

Links

Day of Dialogue - Amsterdam (in Dutch)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizens' participation