COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS Assessments of Cross Talks in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Switzerland

Involve experimented with the Cross-talk methodology, a method developed as part of the OPPORTUNITIES project. This method explores whether a ‘level playing field’ is possible; in other words, is dialogue on an equal footing possible? The assessment gives us a clear picture of the possibilities and offers guidance for further use.

Across all eight cases, the method performs strongly as a relational and empathy-building
intervention, but unevenly as a decision-making and implementation method. The assessments provide substantial evidence of listening, perspective-taking and respect; evidence of equal influence, formal prioritization, ownership and follow-up is much weaker. The most consistent success factor is the carefully validated experiential narrative. When participants could correct their vignette and stakeholders read those stories or responded directly to them, recognition, empathy and a more open conversation emerged. The physical setting – a small group, circular seating, a neutral or familiar venue and informal food – supported this in nearly every case.
The principal structural weakness is that procedural equality did not automatically create equality of power. In Italy, stakeholders dominated parts of the conversation; in Portugal, some participants remained inhibited; in Germany, tension arose around individual responsibility; and in Ireland, some institutional stories reverted to organizational rhetoric. Belgium further shows that language proficiency already determines, before the session begins, who can participate as a speaker. France similarly found that practical solution-building was led mainly by a stakeholder and facilitator, while non-native speakers may be
less confident with reading and writing.