Dialogue with policymakers
Reatch brings together people from science, politics and society. Our formats give them space to develop new ideas, discuss questions about the future and shape change together.
About our dialogue formats
Local and Regional Knowledge Dialogues strengthen exchange between researchers and policymakers at different levels of government. In Future Dialogues, people from science, politics, civil society and professional practice develop practical solutions together.
All formats aim to bring scientific evidence into political and societal processes, foster mutual understanding and strengthen long-term cooperation. Each year we organise three to four dialogue events in different regions of Switzerland. We publish the results in freely accessible dialogue reports.
Local knowledge dialogues
Researchers share knowledge directly with members of cantonal or city parliaments, public administrators and civil society. Together, they examine a specific local issue from different perspectives.
Dialogue on local issues
The Local Knowledge Dialogues strengthen dialogue between science and politics at cantonal, municipal and city level. What information do policymakers need for their work? Where can they connect with universities and researchers? What role does civil society play?
These events help researchers and policymakers understand each other better, make direct contacts and build the trust needed to share knowledge effectively.
Regional knowledge dialogues
A forum for researchers and cantonal policymakers to develop shared solutions to regional challenges across sectors and cantonal borders.
Direct dialogue between researchers and cantons
The Regional Knowledge Dialogue brings researchers together with members of cantonal parliaments and public administrators from the same region to tackle complex challenges that cross cantonal borders.
It strengthens dialogue between science, policy and public administration, encourages knowledge sharing and helps participants develop new approaches to regional challenges. This allows scientific findings to better inform political decisions. Participants also gain a better understanding of Swiss federal structures and political processes and build working relationships across cantons and disciplines.
Regional higher education institutions give policymakers insights into current work, from basic to applied research. Cantons without their own higher education institutions also take an active part. The format builds direct links between researchers and policymakers, highlights the diversity of Swiss research and strengthens long-term regional cooperation.
Regions
What we discussed
What we discussed
What we discussed
When climate goals, agricultural requirements, pollution and economic objectives intersect, cantons face complex challenges. Eastern Switzerland is one example.
Measures needed for the economy and agriculture can create tensions because of their environmental impacts, including pollution from pesticides and PFAS.
At the first Regional Knowledge Dialogue in Eastern Switzerland, policymakers and public administrators heard about current research on PFAS and pesticides. Researchers gained insights into cantonal policymaking and learned which questions policymakers are currently dealing with.
Future Dialogues foster constructive exchange among researchers, policymakers, public administrators and practitioners.
Using concrete scenarios, participants combine scientific, technological, societal and political perspectives to analyse challenges and develop solutions together.
The interactive workshop gives participants space to share their expertise, discuss challenges and develop practical solutions. Everyone contributes on an equal footing, building lasting networks and finding opportunities to work together.
Future Dialogues use co-creation and design thinking to examine a topic systematically from different perspectives and develop well-founded answers to an overarching question. An organisation, institution or research group typically frames the question in collaboration with Reatch.
The format provides a neutral setting for developing solutions together, involving all relevant stakeholders directly and putting the findings into practice.
