The Great Dialogues

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The Great Dialogues was a groundbreaking initiative by Munathara, launched in 2022 to amplify the voices of Libyan youth, women, and marginalized groups in national discourse. Building on the successful Townhall TV format piloted in Tunisia and Lebanon, the project aimed to foster transparent, inclusive dialogue at a critical juncture in Libya’s political landscape.

Central to the initiative was a live, televised town‑hall series where young Libyans engaged directly with senior decision‑makers. Each episode brought together ten trained participants and high‑level guests- including members of parliament, constitutional drafters, human‑rights activists, and government ministers- to tackle pressing national issues such as the stalled constitutional process, public‑oversight institutions, human‑rights concerns, and local‑governance challenges. The four‑episode format emphasized open questions, follow‑ups, and accountability, pushing guests to respond to real concerns from across Libya’s diverse regions.
To lay the groundwork for this project, Munathara launched a train‑the‑trainers workshop in Tunis, certifying five regional coaches in debate facilitation. Those coaches then delivered 13 workshops across Libya, equipping 271 participants, chosen through a nationwide open call, with essential skills in public speaking, media engagement, and critical debate. A rotating cohort from this group then received intensive preparation ahead of each televised episode.
The shows were broadcast from a specially constructed studio in Tunis to overcome logistical and security challenges. They aired simultaneously on a wide network of Libyan TV and radio channels, along with extensive social media coverage, maximizing public reach and engagement. Moderated by experienced journalists, the episodes created rare moments of direct, public dialogue in a deeply divided media landscape.
The result was more than a TV show—it evolved into a national platform for civic engagement, and built momentum for a culture of debate rooted in inclusivity, transparency, participation, and accountability.

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