I will be facilitating in Open Space as part of a workshop next month which is open to the public. It is developed by the YouthBuild* Academy for Transformation:
Diversity Leadership: Healing and Dealing November 20 - 22, 2002 Houston, Texas, USA The following is text from their website: "Diversity issues are ever present, sometimes volatile, and often corrosive, yet they offer great opportunities to create deeper learning, understanding, and unity. To be effective, this work requires that we learn ways to heal from the hurts of oppression at the same time that we strive to deal more powerfully with the external conditions that cause it. This training will be facilitated by skilled diversity leaders from the YouthBuild USA Diversity Working Group and Open Space Technology facilitator Lisa Heft. This intensive, participatory three-day experience will provide a framework for developing diversity policies and procedures in our organizations, a grounding in oppression and liberation theory, a celebration of cultures, and ongoing support mechanisms for practicing diversity leadership back home. It will utilize role-plays, support groups, cultural creativity, and music. Approximately 25 percent of participants will be young people." - - - Day 2 will be held in Open Space. It is interesting also to see on the website how the workshop team has interpreted the process of OST and the idea of holding space. You might see mention of conveners, for examples as facilitators of discussion to keep it on track - I will be contradicting this a little when I lead the Open Space by saying the conveners are not responsible for facilitating (the small group will find its own way) and the Be Prepared to Be Surprised guideline reminds folks that when the conversation ventures 'off track' that is indeed where the energy lies and where the best jewels will be found. The great part is that we get to teach and learn from each other in this pilot program they've been developing. A very exciting opportunity for all of us, and for me, one of the best diversity awareness training curriculums / approaches I've seen. If you know anyone who is in the Houston area next month, I thank you in advance for sharing this information with them. Some scholarships are available to help with the costs of registration and accommodation. For more information on the workshop, please feel free to visit their website: http://www.youthbuild.org/onlineregistration/academy_diversity.html Maybe I'll see some of you there.! Take care, Lisa *YouthBuild's mission: To create and sustain a broad-based national movement in support of policies and programs which enable young people to assume leadership in order to rebuild their communities and lead responsible lives. L i s a H e f t Consultant, facilitator, educator O p e n i n g S p a c e 2325 Oregon Berkeley, California 94705-1106 USA (+01) 510 548-8449 lisah...@pacbell.net www.openspaceworld.com