The journey of water as it flows upon the earth can be a mirror of our
own paths through life. Water begins its residence on earth as it falls
from the sky or melts from ice and streams down a mountain into a
tributary or stream. In the same way, we come into the world and begin
our lives on earth. Like a river that flows within the confines of its
banks, we are born with certain defining characteristics that govern
our identity. We are born in a specific time and place, within a
specific family, and with certain gifts and challenges. Within these
parameters, we move through life, encountering many twists, turns, and
obstacles along the way just as a river flows.
The ability of a group working iteratively and collaboratively to seek, model and put into place higher-order solutions. Time compression, systemic work-flow, dynamic feedback, individual creativity and collective creativity are core features of group genius.
On June 11 and 12th, the North American Affairs team, in External Affairs, hosted the first North American Youth Open House, dubbed “YOH!” The two day conference convened more than 120 young leaders between the ages of 18-30, representing youth organizations and universities from acrossCanadaand theUnited States.
The North American Affairs team works to build and sustain a dialogue withAmerican and Canadian citizens about the World Bank's mission to reduce poverty around the world.
Here's a collection of processes and thought leaders that I use in my practice:
Open Space Technology
Open Space Technology is an approach to organizing large-scale,
participative meetings in which diverse groups come together for the
purposes of managing complex issues in short periods of time, with no
advance agenda, and minimal facilitation. This approach to meetings,
most often attributed to Harrison Owen, generally results in a report
of all topics and discussions generated by participants, isolation of
critical "focal issues," and identification of next step actions. Open
Space is widely known for its Four Principles: 1) Whoever comes is the
right people, 2) Whatever happens is the only thing that could have, 3)
Whenever it starts if the right time, 4) When it’s over it’s over, and
its Law of Two Feet, which allows for movement of participants from
discussion to discussion, given their judgment of where they can best
learn and contribute.
See www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?AboutOpenSpace
A very useful short film on Open Space produced by Alex Munslow, an independent film-maker.It's a great short film about running Open Space, based around the Open Space workshops at the Inaugural Transition Network meeting at Ruskin Mill in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, UK.
Recent article on Open Space Technology published in Meetings & Incentive Travel magazine in the March/April 2007 edition.
Tips from the experts. How to help make your Open Space experience the best it can be:
1. Make your Invitation Count.
2. Don't Skimp on the Prep Work.
3. Circulate Post meeting report--pronto.
4. Watch your time and theme.
5. Consider hiring a professional