Toward a more just and resonant future; Why we need to reframe our narratives

Image Credit:  Erik Johansson

At Convene, we’ve noticed an increasingly intense focus on "new narratives." Much like expecting parents suddenly notice prams everywhere, we’re seeing the call for these narratives across sectors and actors, from climate justice to good governance, from political parties to corporations, from consumer organizations to research institutes. While the promise is alluring, the phrase "new narratives" is fast becoming a buzzword, diluting its transformative potential. Worse, it can be misused to stall meaningful action, serving as a rhetorical placeholder instead of a tool for progressive change.

We’re firm believers in the power of the narrative; the framing that opens the space for solutions through dialogue, softening polarized positions. We’re convinced that if we don’t renew our current narratives we will soon become irrelevant, silenced by the dominating storyline.

This blog explores the power, the potential and the necessity for new narratives. It points to some of the tensions inherent in their crafting and amplification, and the challenge in maintaining a moral compass while re-framing for greater resonance.

We’re at a crossroads. The backlash against progressive values, exemplified by figures such as Trump, Modi or Milei, is not an isolated political phenomenon but a symptom of deeper societal ruptures—evidence of foundational cracks that expose long-suppressed tensions.

Dominant narratives today are rooted in fear, exclusion, and isolation. These narratives, which have persisted for decades, rely on simplistic binaries: good versus bad, winners versus losers, us versus them. In our increasingly fragmented world, such stories deepen divisions, reinforcing echo chambers and discouraging the collective imagination needed to envision a more inclusive future.

Narratives clearly have power. They shape our understanding of the world and our place in it. We’re not talking about Nike or Coke ads that certainly lay down temporary global cultural foundations but the macro narratives that shape these.

Take the climate movement. As highlighted by recent reflections on COP29, "doom and gloom" narratives alienate the very communities we need to engage. They foreclose dialogue, leaving no room for participation, hope, or collective imagination​​. Positive, localized, and inclusive framing can transform climate action into something inspiring, participatory, and rooted in shared purpose​, not by reinventing facts, but by reshaping how they resonate.

Similarly, populist narratives show the power of framing to engage and mobilize individuals who feel excluded or disillusioned. These narratives resonate with communities by validating their emotions and grievances, even when they reject mainstream science, such as on climate change. 

This highlights an essential challenge for new narratives: they must not only inspire those already aligned with progressive causes but also create entry points for engagement with groups living in different realities. This implies appealing to shared values, such as economic resilience, good health, or local community pride, rather than relying solely on scientific evidence they may distrust.

Beyond the jargon: alternative approaches

Similarly, Convene collaborates with organizations like IDDRI to reimagine narratives that will drive action. This takes co-creating narratives that reflect both the mission and the distinct concerns of its stakeholders. As a result language is not merely a tool for delivering ideas, but an act of acknowledgment, signaling respect and understanding, engaging and framing collectively.

Crafting narratives that work: easier said than done

Who sets the narratives? It’s not just about who sets the narratives, but which narratives are given the most power and visibility. Historically, dominant stories have been crafted and operationalized by those in positions of authority, embedding power constructs that shape societal norms and priorities. These narratives are not static, they evolve and gain momentum as they intersect with vested interests. For example, feminist narratives were often sidelined until they began to challenge established systems of power. Re-shaping and re-framing narratives requires more than amplification—it calls for critically examining whose voices are centered, whose stories are suppressed, and how these dynamics perpetuate inequities.

Who engages with the narratives? Different audiences—rural communities, policymakers, and global activists—require distinct touchpoints that reflect their unique contexts and values. A single message often needs multiple narratives, each tailored to resonate with specific groups while aligning with a shared goal. Without this adaptability, even the most well-meaning efforts can miss their mark.

What purpose do narratives serve? Narratives can heal or fragment, open dialogue space for alignment and set common direction or reinforce entrenched positions. A focus on shared humanity and actionable hope can inspire rather than polarize.  

Dialogue as the bridge to compelling new narratives

Deliberate dialogue sits at the heart of reshaping narratives. Intentionally inclusive spaces foster connection and mutual understanding, creating opportunities for diverse voices to surface. While trust is crucial for meaningful narrative shifts, it is only one part of the process. People must also arrive with a seed of willingness—a readiness to engage with change. This readiness may be rooted in shared frustrations, curiosity, or a desire for something better, and dialogue can nurture it along a path that gradually opens people to listening, reflecting, and collaborating.

This dynamic is particularly evident in multi-actor spaces where the framing of challenges and possibilities can make or break engagement. Effective dialogue not only builds trust but also prepares participants for change by offering a sense of agency and shared purpose. By co-creating narratives that highlight tangible possibilities and invite participation, dialogue transforms complex issues from seemingly insurmountable problems into shared challenges that inspire collective action.

At Convene, this philosophy underpins our work. We ensure that narratives become tools for engagement, weaving trust, readiness, and possibility into the process to turn dialogue into a catalyst for change.

Charting a path through shared narratives

Reframing narratives isn’t just about storytelling. It’s about equity and imagination. It’s about recognizing where current stories fail - and understanding the fears, scarcity, and insecurities that keep people entrenched in them - before crafting narratives that align with the realities of diverse communities. New narratives must bridge divides and find common ground, even among groups that perceive the world through fundamentally different lenses. 

In short, new narratives that don’t compromise on our values but do reframe and re-articulate a worldview that resonates across the full diversity of actors towards radical collaboration require deliberate dialogue. We need to be multiplying the spaces where people can co-create narratives that not only envision solutions but also address the anxieties that inhibit solidarity. By confronting these underlying barriers and weaving equity, inclusion, and imagination into the stories we tell, we can design pathways for a future where people are empowered to create change together.

- Bárbara Giareta Cezar & Amanda Harding

References:

ODI piece on New Narratives and cash transfers and on humanitarian narratives.