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Dialogic Mode of Communication
Under the emerging participatory paradigm, there is a "two-way model of communication, creating a constructive environment where stakeholders can participate in the definition of problems and solutions", known as the Dialogic Mode. The Dialogic mode is not used to inform, but used to communicate. It assumes human interaction as a crucial point for success, where it is "not a method, but rather an attitude or orientation toward communication". The main purposes of the Dialogic Model are communication to assess and communication to empower.

Communication to Assess
Communication to assess is used as a "research and analytical tool that, thanks to its interdisciplinary and cross-cutting nature, can be used effectively to investigate any issue, well beyond those strictly related to the communication dimension". This use of two-way communication is meant to first analyze the problem and than to assess the problem-solving process by allowing the experts and local stakeholders to not only engage in dialog, but to understand the other's point of view.

Communication to Empower
Dialogic Communication is "not only effective as a problem-solving tool, but it also builds confidence, prevents conflicts, and addresses the issue of poverty by engaging the poorest and most marginal sectors in the process concerning issues of relevance to them". The main purpose of communication to empower is to "involve stakeholders in decisions over key issues".

Misconceptions about dialog
According to Paolo Mefalopulos, in the context of development communication dialog is not just about engaging in a conversation. It is also about the "professional facilitation of dialogic methods among stakeholders to explore and identify priorities and best alternatives leading to change". Mefalopulos continues to admit that in honest dialog, there are no winners or losers. Neither the communication experts nor the local stakeholders are attempting to be superior to the other, they are both trying to discover the problem and undergo the best possible solution.