Populist tendencies throughout Europe have sparked fear in host societies, leading to distrust of refugees as well as hate speech and discrimination.

This policy webinar will discuss the ways in which trust building can be enhanced to build a more inclusive society for people seeking refuge in Europe. Trust is a powerful force that builds loyalty, increases credibility, and supports effective dialogue. It gives the benefit of the doubt in situations where one wants to be heard, understood, and believed. It also allows people to feel safe and belong. The absence of trust can cause fragmentation, conflict and even war.

Dialogue facilitates the promotion of trust, thereby also building mutual understanding and connection. Dialogue and trust building become inherently more important in a world which is divided due to the strengthening of populist, nationalist and xenophobic forces, especially in Europe.

By drawing from key experts in the field of social inclusion and policymaking, this webinar will aim to answer three questions:

• What policy insights can be drawn from existing evidence and research on trust building which can help foster the social inclusion of people seeking refuge in Europe?
• What formal and/or informal approaches have been taken by organizations working with people seeking refuge and local host communities in Europe which can build trust between both sides?
• How can dialogue facilitate the process of trust building in relation to policymaking in order to foster more inclusive European societies?

The panel will be followed by a Q&A round which will be open to the audience.