On Friday December 15, INCLUDE organized the first workshop for the research programme ‘New roles of CSOs for Inclusive Development; Assumptions underlying Dialogue and Dissent’, which took place at Leiden University. The workshop brought together all parties involved in the Assumptions programme, to create a common understanding of the set-up, goals and expected outcomes. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), NWO-WOTRO and INCLUDE explained their role in the programme. Furthermore, the six research groups presented their research projects. The day was filled with critical questions and fruitful discussions, all described in this report.