Advocacy in Times of Polarization – Communication and Alliance Building

events Programme

As part of the ReActMem project, the Jewish Association Czulent organized the workshop “Advocacy in Times of Polarization – Communication and Alliance Building”, which took place on October 29, 2025 in Brussels and on February 23, 2026 in Warsaw.

In Brussels, on October 29, 2025, the workshop was led by Dr. Hannah Starman, a specialist in communication and campaign management affiliated with La République En Marche, where she is responsible for European affairs and training. The program focused on strengthening advocacy skills in increasingly polarized social and political contexts. Participants explored strategies for building alliances across diverse groups and learned how to craft value-based messages capable of reaching different audiences. Particular attention was given to the tensions between facts and emotions, as well as to prejudice and disinformation.

The workshop also included a practical component, during which participants practiced formulating arguments, responding to challenging statements, and developing communication tools useful in advocacy work. A key element was the development of soft skills such as empathy, active listening, and communication aimed at building mutual understanding.

The Warsaw edition of the workshop, held on February 23, 2026, was led by Piotr Kwapisiewicz, President of the Board of the Jewish Association Czulent. The session focused on developing advocacy skills in conditions of social polarization, with particular emphasis on countering antisemitism, discrimination, and hate speech. Participants worked on strategies for building cross-sector partnerships, creating value-based messages, and analyzing the mechanisms of polarization in both offline and digital spaces.

The workshop also included practical exercises in argumentation and responding to difficult statements, as well as the development of communication tools applicable to advocacy activities. As in Brussels, strong emphasis was placed on the development of soft skills such as empathy, active listening, and relationship-oriented communication.

The workshops created a space for exchanging experiences and strengthening cooperation among individuals and organizations engaged in countering hate speech and discrimination across different social contexts and countries.

📸Heic