Programme Types
Delegations for Dialogue currently organises three types of programmes incorporating different approaches to dialogue.
1. Travelling Symposiums
Delegates debating the usefulness of economic sanctions. Beijing, China August 2016
A 'Travelling Symposium' is effectively a mini symposium attached to an engagement-focused travel programme. The symposium is designed to engage each delegates in deep discussion and debate on important topics with the goal of quickly building a strong foundation of knowledge on a particular issue. A range of speakers are invited to present to the delegation either in person or via conference call with the purpose of supplementing important information as well triggering new discussion points.
Hojatoleslam Risheri introduces the holy city of Qom to delegates during the Cultural Heritage Symposium. Qom, Iran, March 2016
Delegates then travel to the area of discussion well-equipped with the knowledge necessary to understand the issues prevailing in the country. Besides general sightseeing, a number of exchange opportunities are organised so that the delegates can complement this newly attained knowledge with first-hand experiences and genuine interactions. Previous travelling symposiums have taken place in China, the DPRK and Iran.
Travelling Symposium programmes have between 15-20 delegates and last between 7-14 days.
2. Fact-finding Programmes
Ethnic Kachin Students share their perspectives on Myanmar's ongoing ethnic conflict. Yangon, Myanmar, April 2016
There are at least two sides to every kind of conflict. Delegations for Dialogue organises Fact-Finding Programmes with the goal of obtaining detailed knowledge of these multifaceted issues in order to produce a statement that can be recognised as objective. We believe this exercise fundamentally has the ability to impact the willingness of actors in a conflict to adjust certain aspects of their behavior, attitudes and aims.
Lebanon's Progress Socialist Party layout their proposals for solving the country's ongoing refugee crisis. Beirut, Lebanon, January 2016
Delegates on our fact-finding programmes will have the opportunity to participate in meetings and roundtables with a wide range of voices at the heart of contentious issues. Previous fact-finding programmes have taken place in Lebanon and Myanmar. Delegates also have the opportunity to engage with ordinary citizens such as students and local families who often join our delegations as local guides and help to introduce some of their country's famous sights.
Fact-finding programmes have between 8-12 delegates and last between 7-10 days.
3. Sports & Cultural Exchanges
Supported by globalisation and the increasing affordability of international travel, sports and cultural exchanges have emerged as an integral part of efforts to build ever-strengthening relations between nations. These exchanges seek to highlight shared, universal passions as a means to transcend linguistic and sociocultural differences and bring people closer together.
DPRK youth football team players prepare for match with student delegates. Pyongyang, DPRK, April 2016
An Isfahan Fine Arts School student introduces his portfolio to delegates. Isfahan, Iran, March 2016
Delegations for Dialogue not only facilitates these crucial exchanges but approaches the topic through an academic angle. During previous sports exchange programmes, Dr J Simon Rofe ,Programme Director in Global Diplomacy at the School of Oriental And African Studies (SOAS) has provided a lecture for our delegation addressing the important role sports can play in international diplomacy.
In April 2016, we organised our first Runners Delegation in the DPRK. Here a group of student athletes participated in the Pyongyang Marathon 2016 and also had the opportunity to meet with the DPRK Youth Football team at the Pyongyang International Football School where a short friendly match was organised. During the Cultural Heritage Symposium in Iran, Fine Art students introduced their work while also sharing their hopes for the future.
Sports & Cultural Exchanges have between 15-20 delegates and last 7 days.
Group photo at the Pyongyang Football Academy. Pyongyang, DPRK, April 2016.