“People Meet People” in Arendal: Fostering Multicultural Dialogue
Municipality of Arendal
Mayor
Robert Cornels Nordli
Start of Project
10/01/2025
End of Project
N/A (Ongoing)
Overview
Arendal commits to fostering genuine contact and mutual understanding between migrants and the local community through “People Meet People.” The initiative consists of dialogue sessions between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Participants, including refugees, migrants, and host community members, are matched based on shared interests, with the idea that they may benefit from or enjoy meeting one another. Sessions are hosted in accessible public spaces such as libraries, parks, and museums to build community trust. Anyone can host a session, following a one-hour online training, and participants gain access to all necessary materials.
Building on a ten-year history that has already engaged 1,700 participants, Arendal commits to sharing this method with other municipalities and networks, fostering a friendly grassroots movement that promotes democracy building in practice. Already, People Meet People has been adopted in several municipalities in Norway and has also spread to Poland, Spain, and Portugal through Erasmus+ cooperation. In 2026, Arendal will extend this cooperation by serving in an advisory role for the Nobel Peace Prize’s new initiative, The Great Dialogue Day.
“People Meet People” is led by the Department of Culture and Inclusion through the Arendal Adult Learning Centre, Arendal Public Library, and With a Heart of Arendal.
Expected Impact
Overall, these actions are expected to:
Foster mutual understanding and trust between residents, creating solutions and strong relationships that generate hope;
Reduce prejudice, prevent scepticism and fear of foreigners in the local community;
Build democracy “in practice” by encouraging open participation and face-to-face meetings.
Additionally, refugee and migrant participants may gain:
Enhanced language skills by providing practical opportunities for participants to practice Norwegian in social and professional settings;
Expanded social and personal networks;
Through specific sessions, expand professional networks by meeting locals in the same field.
Priority Objectives
Eliminating all forms of discrimination and promoting evidence-based public discourse
“When ‘People Meet People’, something important happens. Understanding, trust, and a sense of community are built between the residents who take part. Closeness creates solutions and strong relationships. It helps create hope.”