Hi Friends on Open Space list serve and others.
I am in the midst of a fascinating open space experiment. I think it merits the "2 squared" title. We are roughly 25 people coming together every month from all around Haiti for two full days. We have been meeting since May 2001. Our group is made up of community and/or non-governmental organization leaders several representing national farmers associations. We function in open space for these two days and our objective is to learn more about project development, management, and how to cultivate and access resources - human and material. For a more indepth description go to:
Prior to May, four among us had open space technology experience. The very first time that this particular group of people met together was May of this year for a full day of open space. Our theme was: "Developing a training program which will enable us to learn more about project development, management and accessing resources." We had funds for one additional meeting only. We informed participants that finding funds for whatever training program we developed would be the group's responsibility.
My unstated objectives was to promote the use of open space. When participants were creating their own learning program, I insisted, if they wanted my conitinued participation, that each meeting would follow open space technology principles. We decided that we would invite guest speakers. I indicated that the open space format could accommodate this and that we would simply inform them how it would work. Participants would always have freedom to choose how they wished to spend their time.
Those present at the May meeting were responsible for designing every other aspect of the training program: curriculem, materials, calandar, means of evaluation, etc.
We are half way through the one year program which we created for ourselves. During the November meeting we developed and began carrying out an evaluation for our program to-date. In order to get an idea of participants' perspectives on open space, November's facilitator Fremy Cesar - each month a different person facilitates - asked for comments. Here are remarks from six participants:
Open Space, eliminates the spirit of inferiority. The playing field is leveled. We're all equal. I have begun using it with my groups.
Yesterday I was facilitating a seminar. There was one person attending who did not know how to read and write. She was the oldest person present. My experience with open space technology made me particularly sensitive to her situation within the group. To make sure that she did not feel alienated and that other group members did not discount her, I checked all group decisions with her, "Rosalina, you have more experience here than any of us. We appreciate the wisdom you have. Are you comfortable with the decision of the group?" It worked out great.
Open Space has removed tradition bound notions within my attitudes. I am living the spirit of a popular educator. Each of us are learning, one from another.
There is not a better method. I've been facilitating groups all of my adult life. Meeting facilitation is my life. I've been writing a book on the subject. Experiencing Open Space is causing me problems. I have had to rewrite every single chapter in my book. Open Space is forcing me to rethink my assumptions and practices.
With Open Space, there are not ideas that remain hidden or unspoken. Everything emerges.
I can't imagine that there could be a better method for enabling a group to discover its potential.
During November's meeting, our group also decided to create a network of open space practitioners that would continue meeting and learning from one another even after this particular training program was completed. The group determined that the network would function based on open space principles.
John Engle
Port au Prince Haiti
