The Empathic Dialogues series is an attempt to facilitate a new type of conversation aimed at finding common ground between diverse perspectives on serious global issues facing people and planet. A public debate but with a twist – it is not a debate simpliciter where Proposers and Opposers engage with the intent of remaining fixed in their view and refuting the other. It is a dialogue where the intent of both Proposer and the Opposer is to connect and understand the alternative perspective and to seek Common Ground.

Proposers and Opposers should be prepared to subject their positions to scrutiny and refutation once provided with clear, cogent and compelling evidence. Proposers and Opposers will be required to exhibit a high degree of conversational intelligence which includes unwavering respect for the dignity of each other, responsibility for emotional energy and reflexivity on ones own assumptions and interpretation of the evidence.