ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book highlights Belgium is a country characterized by deep, coinciding and mutually reinforcing cleavages. It demonstrates the transformative potential of talking to the other side, because outgroup attitudes improved significantly through intergroup deliberation. The book shows professional facilitation and the process design itself. During the citizen summit, trained facilitators accompanied the participants in their deliberations, and made sure that everyone could listen and be listened to in a respectful atmosphere. Despite deep linguistic divides and strong political polarization, citizens were still able to sit together and discuss salient political issues. The whole process was built and financed by citizens without the intervention of political authorities.
