APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPANT in the DIALOGUE PROJECT
Apply to be a participant in the dialogue project before January 5th here
What is the Dialogue Project?
The Dialogue Project is a part of ISFiT that provides a practical approach to peace-building. Prior to the festival, the Dialogue Project team is tasked with selecting a focus area that is particularly relevant to ISFiT's theme for the year. From this focus area, approximately 20 students are offered a trip to Norway to participate in a unique dialogue seminar in Røros. During the seminar in Røros, students meet on neutral ground to talk, have fun, and engage in dialogue exercises with trained facilitators. The goal is for the students to understand each other's viewpoints and build friendships across ethnic, religious, cultural, political, and geographical boundaries. After the dialogue seminar in Røros they will travel to Trondheim, where they will participate in the ISFiT festival and apply what they have learned in the global context that the festival represents.
The Purpose of the Dialogue Project 2025
For ISFiT25, the selected focus area is Indigenous Peoples' rights and the power dynamics that impact them. By inviting Indigenous students from Canada, Australia, Colombia, and Norway, we aim to create a platform where Indigenous students can explore the intersection of their student and Indigenous identity. Through dialogue, we aim to create a space where participants can learn from each other's perspectives, share experiences, and explore how we can address the challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples together. The long-term goal of the Dialogue Project is for participants to leave with valuable tools and knowledge to create positive change in their communities.
History of the Dialogue Project
The Dialogue Project was initiated in 1997 due to an increased focus on providing meaningful experiences to the participants. The project has its roots in the belief that students are leaders of the future and vital catalysts for change. Conflict resolution, dialogue, and reconciliation must take place at the grassroots level, as well as on state and global levels. Students have often proven to be the group with the strongest determination for social change, and therefore play an important role in building peace in their communities.
Since 1997, we have invited students from South Africa, Northern Ireland, Guatemala, Colombia, Kashmir, Israel, Palestine, Sri Lanka, the United States and the Balkans. The Dialogue Projects have previously resulted in similar dialogue seminars in Chechnya, Iran, Ethiopia, and Uganda, where former participants organized equivalent seminars for youth in their communities. The Dialogue Project has received praise from both participants and prominent peace actors, including Norway's Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and former Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik. The latter was also present at ISFiT's 10th anniversary in 2007.
Why dialogue?
In situations of conflict, communication between different ethnic, religious, cultural, socioeconomic, and political groups is often limited or non-existent. Dialogue can be used to come together as individuals rather than operating as representatives of one side or a specific cause. In dialogue, everyone has the opportunity to express their perspectives on a given topic without being confronted with facts or anyone trying to disprove their views. Dialogue is not about winning, getting everyone to agree, or defending one's viewpoint; it is about creating mutual understanding and respect.
Therefore, the Dialogue Project invites students with diverse perspectives on an issue to find a common platform where they can share their experiences and engage in open dialogue. Participants' views of each other are often transformed during the dialogue seminar. The perception of each other as adversaries is broken down, and new relationships and friendships are built through dialogue and activities. Hence, the Dialogue Project aims to highlight the strength, opportunities, and hope that lies in young students to create meaningful change in their own communities using dialogue as a tool.
