“Fundamentals and principles of Solutions Journalism” is the webinar organized by Torino Social Impact as part of the Torino Impact Journalism initiative. On Monday, June 17th, from 2:00 PM, national and international experts will participate, discussing how to promote impactful and solutions-oriented information.

One of the organizations in Europe—and beyond—that is contributing to changing journalism by promoting knowledge of more constructive approaches is the Danish Constructive Institute.

Peter Damgaard Kristensen has been part of this initiative since its inception, playing a crucial role in the construction and development of the Constructive Institute as one of its first employees. Within the institute, he oversees and co-develops projects in Research and Development, with a particular focus on research, impact measurement, and AI. Peter conducts workshops and presentations on journalism, sharing insights on the Institute’s work and the role of constructive information in today’s media landscape. Before joining the Constructive Institute, he worked in the university sector, gaining extensive experience in project management, public relations, and policy consulting.

An independent center looking to the future of journalism

The Constructive Institute was founded in 2017 by Ulrik Haagerup, an investigative journalist who spent two decades leading major newsrooms across Denmark. It is based at Aarhus University and is now an independent center that is part of the broader global movement of constructive journalism.

With an eye on the journalism of tomorrow, its mission is virtuous: it is committed to changing the global culture of information, supporting journalism in promoting democracy. In its daily work, it helps journalists, news outlets, and organizations apply constructive information through various initiatives and services such as a best practices portal, a fellowship program, reporting projects, independent academic research, and international collaborations.

The Constructive Institute is a non-profit organization funded by philanthropic donations from various foundations and private companies. We can say that constructive journalism and dialogue are at the heart of everything the Institute does, convinced that these can and should be at the forefront of raising journalism standards and promoting changes in media narratives.

Why we need constructive journalism

Constructive journalism opposes the rampant sensationalism and negativity of today’s media. Surveys and research conducted worldwide show that what readers believe about their countries is often far from the actual truth.

The Constructive Institute is convinced that life, our society, and our surroundings are better than we think. For this reason, its fundamental mission is to restore trust in the importance of facts, knowledge, and shared dialogue as the foundations of our communities. At the heart of this approach is the vision of journalism as a democratic tool.