Solidarity Dialogues Live Demonstration | Religion, Secularism and Belonging: Experiences and Perspectives

On Monday March 23, 2026, PLEDJ hosted a Solidarity Dialogues gathering to demonstrate our Nested Model to our French community in Montreal. This evening brought together students, community leaders and professors to dialogue around: Religion, secularism, and belonging: experiences and perspectives. A crucial reminder that during times of polarization, it is utterly important to find solidarity among those who are impacted by deep rooted conflict, to share the collective responsibility of creating safe spaces that foster understanding and mutual respect. 

This event was supported by the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee of the Institute of Religious Studies at the Université de Montréal. 

Setting the Space for Dialogue

The evening began with light refreshments, offering participants an opportunity to connect and build relationships before the dialogue. The room itself was intentionally arranged to reflect the Solidarity Dialogues Model: participant chairs formed a central circle, surrounded by observer seating.

This configuration symbolized unity and shared responsibility, ensuring both a brave and safe environment where participants could engage in vulnerable and meaningful conversation.

Marisa Samek, Chairperson of PLEDJ’s Board of Directors, opened the evening with a reflection on the importance of dialogue in times of division.

Mina Lucacher, Solidarity Dialogues Project Coordinator, then introduced the Solidarity Dialogues Model, a transformative framework grounded in six core principles: Solidarity-Driven, Identity-Informed, Conflict-Transforming, Power-Conscious and Liberatory in Practice, Trauma-Informed, and Action-Based.

Click here to learn more!

A Live Demonstration of Dialogue

The dialogue demonstration was co-facilitated by Hanya Omar, Director of Operations at PLEDJ, and Prof. Patrice Brodeur, Associate Professor at the Institute of Religious Studies Université de Montréal.

Together, they guided participants through a powerful and pressing question:

In the current context of Quebec, marked by debates on secularism, how do identities and experiences, whether religious or non-religious, shape our sense of collective belonging and our way of living together?

What followed was more than a discussion, it was a lived experience of the Solidarity Dialogues Model in action.

Throughout the evening, participants engaged deeply with one another, sharing reflections rooted in lived experience, vulnerability, and empathy. The dialogue surfaced key insights that demonstrate the transformative impact of this approach:

• Creating a Sense of Safety from the Start

• Seeing Beyond Labels: Dialogue, at its best, allows people to be seen in their full humanity.

• Holding Space Through Compassionate Listening

"Sometimes what the person is looking for... is really a feeling that one sees their experience." - participant in the circle 

• Participants leaned into discomfort with openness, demonstrating that meaningful dialogue requires both the courage to be challenged and the humility to grow.

• The conversation emphasized the importance of approaching dialogue with generosity, while acknowledging that words can carry different meanings based on lived experience.

"The same sentence… will have different impacts in light of our social position, our experiences… sometimes related to our privileges, sometimes to experiences of discrimination." - participant in the circle

Finally, participants reflected on the often-overlooked reality that communication is shaped not just by intention, but by reception. Emotions, context, and personal history all influence how a message is received, reminding us to approach dialogue with care and awareness.

While Solidarity Dialogues are typically confidential and not recorded, this gathering offered a rare opportunity to witness the model in practice.

Observers reflected on the depth of engagement, the courage of participants, and the power of structured dialogue to bridge divides. The demonstration offered a glimpse into how intentional spaces can transform tension into understanding, and difference into connection.

Continuing the Conversation

This gathering was a testament to the power of dialogue in uniting communities across differences. It demonstrated that when people are given the right tools, structure, and support, even the most complex and sensitive topics can be navigated with care, respect, and empathy.

PLEDJ extends heartfelt thanks to all who attended, and special appreciation to the participants and observers who made this dialogue possible.

If you are interested in participating in future Solidarity Dialogues, please fill out this form or reach out to: mina.lucacher@pledj.org 

The solidarity dialogues are an initiative of PLEDJ in collaboration with the Network for Peace and Social Harmony. This initiative is partly funded by the Government of Canada (Canadian Heritage).