Hugo Bens, chairman of 'Land van Cuijk Boert Bewust' and egg poultry farmer in Haps, listened attentively: "What Noelle said was relatable. We went home with a card containing guidelines for dialogue—practical tips that everyone can use."
"A dialogue isn’t about winning," says Noelle Aarts. "In communication, it’s not just about the content of the message, but about how we relate to one another. Treat each other well to build respect and keep the conversation going. This helps prevent conflicts and polarisation," Aarts advised farmers and partners of 'Land van Cuijk Boert Bewust'. Many conversations are often used to push one’s own truth, score points with followers, or gain political leverage. This, however, hinders rather than helps in the search for solutions to major societal challenges.
"Listen with respect and full attention," Aarts emphasised as the key tip for a good dialogue. "A conversation often consists of two monologues rather than a dialogue. People think: 'I’ll wait until the other person is done and then state my opinion.' Let go of that, and keep actively listening and asking questions until the other person feels heard and you understand what they mean." As a final guideline, Aarts encouraged agreeing on follow-up steps together. "Look for concrete and achievable next steps together. This could be a farm visit or a follow-up conversation. People are becoming increasingly awkward in dealing with those who think differently, partly due to social media. Seek out those who think differently and engage in conversation with them."
The fourth partner event took place at the dairy farm of the Van Bree family in Vortum-Mullem. 'Land van Cuijk Boert Bewust' is an independent foundation under the umbrella of the national 'Boert Bewust'. Partners, mainly businesses from the surrounding area, support farmers who aim to foster more dialogue with society. For more information, visit the '' website (in Dutch).
Thanks to Monique van Loon for the images and original text.