Guidelines for Community for A Wiser World

In Community for A Wiser World we follow a set of guidelines:

We share our thoughts and experiences
We express our views with humility and curiosity
We make space for others to contribute
We listen actively
We make an effort to stay on topic
We value reliable information
We make sure everyone understands the ideas expressed
We treat all participants and their views with respect and curiosity
We speak up when disrespect occurs
We listen openly when criticized for disrespect
We re-evaluate our beliefs when presented with new ideas

What follows is a description of these guidelines in more detail.

Guideline 1: We share our thoughts and experiences

During discussions, we openly share our thoughts on the ideas being discussed.

We also try to explain what it is in our experience that has shaped our views, so others can better understand our perspective. This could be things we have experienced personally, or things we have heard others say, for example, things we read in a book, heard in a podcast or seen in a video.

Why This Matters:

Sharing our unique thoughts and experiences helps us understand the reasons behind our different viewpoints.

It encourages meaningful dialogue and allows everyone to contribute to a shared understanding.

Even if our perspective differs from others, sharing it is essential for progress and for building a more complete picture together.

Guideline 2: We express our views with humility and curiosity

When sharing our thoughts, we avoid presenting them as the only correct answer or dismissing other perspectives. Instead we use language that acknowledges our own perspective and leaves room for other viewpoints.

We try to foster curiosity by describing our ideas as interesting regardless of whether they may turn out to be wrong or not.

For example, we avoid saying things like “Obviously, the correct way of looking at this is…” or “You are wrong. The right answer is…”. Instead we say things like “The way I see it…”, “Could it be that…?”, or “Here is an idea I find interesting!”. When we disagree with something, we might say “I see what you are saying. I have a slightly different view.” or “That’s an interesting perspective. Here is how I see it.”

Why This Matters:

We have all changed our minds in the past—sometimes about things we once felt sure of. This shows that our current beliefs could also change as we learn more. We should therefore keep this in mind in order to not be overconfident in our views.

Approaching discussions with humility helps create a respectful and open environment, where everyone feels comfortable sharing and reconsidering ideas.

If we act as though we are always right, conversations can turn into debates where the goal is to win, rather than to understand. Humility encourages genuine dialogue and helps us work together toward a deeper, shared understanding.

Guideline 3: We make space for others to contribute

We try to keep our comments brief and focused, allowing others the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences.

We try to be mindful not to dominate the conversation or interrupt others. If we feel eager to speak, we may pause to see if someone else wants to contribute first.

We recognize that some people may take longer to join in. We try to make it easier for quieter participants to engage in conversation and help ensure everyone has a chance to speak.

In larger groups or when several people want to talk, we may consider using a system like raising hands to help manage the flow and make sure all voices are heard.

Why This Matters:

True conversation is a two-way (or multi-way) exchange, not a monologue. When everyone has the chance to participate, we all benefit from a wider range of ideas and experiences.

Making space for others shows respect and helps build an inclusive environment where everyone feels that their contributions are valued.

By listening as much as we speak, we support collective learning and help the group reach a deeper, shared understanding.

Guideline 4: We listen actively

We give our full attention to the person speaking— we make eye contact, nod, and show that we are engaged.

We respond thoughtfully by commenting on what they’ve said or asking follow-up questions.

We allow the speaker to finish their point before responding. If something isn’t clear, we ask them to explain further so we fully understand their message.

Why This Matters:

Active listening helps create an environment where everyone feels their ideas and experiences are valued, encouraging more open and honest sharing.

When we listen carefully, we not only show respect for others but also give ourselves the chance to learn and grow. Hearing different perspectives can reveal gaps in our own understanding and help us develop a more complete view together.

Guideline 5: We make an effort to stay on topic

We try to stay on the main topic and avoid lengthy tangents or unrelated side conversations.

If the discussion starts to drift, we gently guide it back to the main subject to help everyone stay engaged and productive.

Why This Matters:

Staying focused helps the group make meaningful progress toward a deeper, shared understanding.

Respecting the topic and each participant’s time ensures that everyone benefits from a purposeful and efficient conversation.

By helping each other stay on track, we make the most of our time together and can more easily achieve our discussion goals.

Guideline 6: We value reliable information

When we discuss how things are, we aim to identify relevant information that we have good reason to believe is reliable.

What counts as reliable information depends on the context. For example, a conversation might focus solely on our personal views, needs, or experiences—such as the kind of music we enjoy, how we perceive colors, what we tend to think about during the day, or what kind of support we feel we need. In these cases, our own personal experience is the most reliable data available. While we can of course be mistaken about ourselves—due to faulty memory or misunderstanding—our personal perspective is, in general, more trustworthy than what someone else might claim we have experienced.

If the conversation is more about events in society, investigative journalism may be the most reliable source. Even here, mistakes can occur, as no one is infallible. But we can increase reliability by checking whether the information is confirmed by multiple independent sources, comes from primary sources with direct knowledge of the issue, and whether the journalist has demonstrated accuracy in previous reporting.

When discussing how the world works, scientific studies are often the most trustworthy sources. Of course, science too can be prone to error, as it is a complex process. In this case, we can improve reliability by looking beyond individual studies—focusing instead on meta-analyses, research conducted by multiple independent teams, and studies that are theory-driven rather than based on loose statistical correlations.

Why This Matters:

To deepen our understanding of something, we need to ensure there is good reason to believe the information we rely on is accurate. If we fail to do this, we risk drawing incorrect conclusions, which makes it harder to arrive at truths about the world and ourselves.

Another reason to base our discussions on reliable information is to foster shared understanding. Misinformation exists in far more forms than accurate information, which means that without a shared basis of reliability, we are more likely to develop conflicting perspectives. This can drive us further apart rather than helping us build common ground.

Guideline 7: We make sure everyone understands the ideas expressed

We try to use clear and simple language, avoiding technical terms or jargon that might be confusing to others.

When introducing a new or complex idea, we try to check in with the group by asking questions like, “Does that make sense?” or “Is everyone following so far?”

If someone indicates they don’t understand, we take the time to clarify and ask questions to identify what’s unclear, rather than repeating our point at length.

Why This Matters:

For a discussion to be truly collaborative, everyone needs to understand the ideas being shared.

Making sure all participants are on the same page allows the group to build a shared understanding and ensures that no one is left behind

Guideline 8: We treat all participants and their views with respect and curiosity

We respond to others’ ideas with openness and consideration, never belittling, ridiculing, or insulting anyone or their perspectives.

We avoid dismissing someone’s thoughts as unimportant or inferior, regardless of our own opinions or background.

We ensure that everyone’s contributions are valued equally, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any mental or physical differences.

Why This Matters:

The goal of discussion is to build a shared understanding by learning from each other’s perspectives. Dismissing or demeaning someone’s views undermines this purpose and discourages open participation.

Respectful dialogue creates an environment where everyone feels safe and valued, making it easier for all to share their thoughts honestly.

Judging or devaluing individuals based on their views or personal attributes prevents genuine curiosity and meaningful conversation, making it impossible to reach mutual understanding.

Guideline 9: We speak up when disrespect occurs

If someone behaves disrespectfully, we take shared responsibility by calmly pointing out the specific action or comment we found disrespectful.

If we realize that we have acted disrespectfully, we acknowledge it openly and offer a sincere apology.

Why This Matters:

Behaving in respectful ways is a life-long learning process for all of us. It is natural to slip up and behave in ways that are disrespectful, even if that is not our intention. When we are alerted to our disrespectful behaviors it helps us broaden our understanding and learning from our mistakes.

Creating a safe and welcoming environment requires everyone to act with respect. Addressing disrespectful behavior helps reinforce these standards and ensures everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences.

Speaking up increases awareness about what kinds of behavior are not acceptable and helps prevent misunderstandings. Sometimes, a comment may be misheard or unintentionally phrased poorly; addressing it gives the person a chance to clarify or apologize.

By taking responsibility and addressing issues as they arise, we foster a culture of mutual respect and continuous improvement in our discussions.

Guideline 10: We listen openly when criticized for disrespect

When someone tells us they found our words or actions disrespectful, we listen carefully and seek to understand their perspective. If we have trouble understanding we might ask, “Can you explain what about my actions you found disrespectful?”

We reflect on their feedback and consider in what ways they might be right. If we believe there’s been a misunderstanding, we address it only after fully understanding their experience.

Why This Matters:

It is natural to want to defend ourselves when criticized, but immediate defensiveness can prevent us from learning and growing.

By listening first, we show that we value the other person’s experience and are committed to creating a respectful environment.

This approach fosters trust, learning from each other, and helps resolve misunderstandings, and supports an atmosphere where everyone feels safe to share their thoughts and experiences.

Guideline 11: We re-evaluate our beliefs when presented with new ideas

We stay open to changing our views when we encounter new information or compelling reasons to think differently.

If we realize that our previous beliefs were inaccurate, we are willing to update our perspective accordingly.

Why This Matters:

Since we don’t yet share a complete understanding of the world, it’s essential to continually re-examine our beliefs as we learn from one another.

Although changing our minds can be challenging or uncomfortable, it is a necessary part of personal growth and collective progress.

By choosing to re-evaluate our views, we move closer to a deeper, shared understanding and foster an environment where learning and openness are valued. It also allows us to grow as a person.

Read the Swedish version of this page.

Page-ID: 27

This page is version 1.0. It has not yet been reviewed by the global community. Do you want to help improve it? Please leave a comment in the google document for this page, or join the email group to be part of the discussion. You can always share your thoughts via email directly to mail@awiserworld.net. Read more about how you can support A Wiser World.