Dialogue and society
Dialogue helps us to understand different perspectives and backgrounds, to frame the right research questions, and to find answers to major societal challenges. This is essential, as we face pressing global issues in the areas of food, biodiversity, health, energy and sustainability, topics that demand collaboration, insight and shared solutions.
View an example of one of our dialogues.
Because dialogue is an effective way to build trust and foster understanding, WUR actively encourages and facilitates conversations between stakeholders, scientists and society. We do this by embedding dialogue in our research and education, by organising inspiring dialogues, and by investing in the development of dialogue skills among our staff and students.
Image: from dialogue to action to contribute to complex transitions together.
1. Let's identify: map all values. 2. Let's meet: explore perspectives. 3. Let's understand: recognise diversity. 4. Let's connect: find commond ground. 5. Let's cooperate: work together. 6. Let's learn: continue action.
Focus 2025-2026
How can we strengthen each other in the transformation towards more sustainable, healthy and fair food systems? Through Wageningen Dialogues, we organise conversations to identify, encounter, understand and connect different values and interests.
This year, we focus particularly on pesticides and biotechnology. We develop materials and organise meetings to explore diverse perspectives, with and among scientists, activists, policymakers, farmers, entrepreneurs and others.
Want to join the conversation or share your ideas? Keep an eye on our agenda, leave your email address to stay informed, or get in touch with us.
The use of pesticides raises fundamental questions about human and environmental health, food safety and ecological resilience. In this dialogue series, WUR invites scientists, experts, practitioners and decision-makers to jointly unravel the complexity surrounding pesticides.
What trade-offs do we make between yield and biodiversity? How do economic interests relate to sustainable alternatives? What social and ethical tensions are involved? And how might the system look different?
By creating space for open conversation, mutual understanding and critical reflection, we explore new perspectives and directions for solutions. Together, we can build a future-proof system in which agriculture is in balance with nature. Share and explore new insights and choices that matter, for farmers, citizens and soil alike.
Read more about crop protection.
We are all familiar with products such as bread, wine, beer and yoghurt, all examples of biological knowledge applied through technology. Yet modern biotechnology stands at a crossroads of promise and concern within agriculture, nature and food production.
This includes precision technologies such as CRISPR-Cas for crop breeding and precision fermentation for cultivated meat and plant-based foods. Through dialogue, WUR connects diverse perspectives, from innovative scientists and ethicists to farmers, policymakers and citizens.
These technologies offer opportunities for sustainability and strategic autonomy, while also raising questions about safety, fairness and social acceptance. The tension between innovation and caution, between speed and public support, calls for open conversation and joint exploration.
By bringing together different ways of thinking, we can build bridges between technological progress and public values. This dialogue series brings stakeholders together to engage in structured, society-based conversations about biotechnology.
Read more about plant breeding and biotechnology and fermentation and bioprocessing.
Getting started with dialogue
Our inspiring resources and workshops provide insights into methods, approaches and skills for meaningful dialogues.
- The Dialogue Navigator helps you explore what dialogue can offer
- The Design Guide explains the steps to take within your organisation
- Dealing with Polarisation: WUR has developed a six-part podcast series with polarisation expert and philosopher Bart Brandsma
Want to join the conversation or share your idea?
Have you got questions, ideas, or do you see opportunities for collaboration? Get in touch with us.
