We Need to Talk! (Reboot 2026)

In times when opinions are hardening and spaces for dialogue are shrinking, this format seeks to create encounters that do not immediately lead to agreement or resistance. We’re interested in the space in between—the zone where different ways of thinking, feeling, and experiencing intersect. Where people who would otherwise avoid each other talk: about politics and belonging, about city life, traffic, climate, freedom—and about what is “non-negotiable” for each and every one of us.

“We-Must-Talk” is not a communication course, nor is it a seminar on empathy or conversation techniques. It’s an expedition into uncharted territory: How do you stay in the conversation when the urge to walk away or turn away becomes overwhelming? What happens when you try not to convince right away, but to truly understand—especially where it hurts?

We want to explore (for ourselves) how curiosity, active listening, and a clear stance can go hand in hand—and how “firm facilitation” and genuine openness aren’t mutually exclusive. We want to exchange ideas about what participants experience in “such” situations and how they handle them. What happens when you commit to not trying to “convert” the other person, but rather to understand what motivates them—even if you firmly reject their position.

The pilot so far—an encounter with members of the AfD—has shown that productive conversational dynamics develop precisely when the focus is not on refuting opposing positions, but on understanding the underlying motives, emotions, and needs. Without giving up a critical distance. This creates a space for experience where democracy is concretely negotiated. People don’t speak from a distance, commenting “from the stands,” but step out onto the communicative “playing field” of direct encounter.

In the “Wir-müssen-reden” project, people come together who know themselves, their patterns, and their reactions well—and who are eager to actually venture into uncharted communicative territory (rather than just theorizing). It’s not about harmony, but about the art of staying in conversation without compromising oneself. It’s about balancing distance and closeness, listening and disagreement.

Perhaps in the process we’ll discover more and more precisely what divides us—but also what connects us: the need to be seen, to be understood, to belong. We’re exploring: Where and how can bridges be built? Where are “red lines” needed while still fostering integration?

“We-must-talk” —because democracy cannot remain vibrant without dialogue.