The particaption of youth in Open Space

[Rhett Hudson/Chris Weaver]

Dear Andrew,

I have been in three OS events which included a small number of young people
among adults, all with themes oriented around adult concerns.

My experience has been that the young people (in two cases 10 -
12-year-olds, in another high-school students) have not convened focus
groups, but that focus group members have naturally and authentically sought
the young people's input.  In every case, the young people have spoken
eloquently and from a fresh and important angle in the closing circle.

I have also asked young people to help me with set-up (taping up signs, etc)
as a way of making them feel included right away.  I have refrained from
spotlighting them in front of the group.  As the OS process invites adults
to join as they are ready, so does it work naturally with younger folks.

-Chris Weaver

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>From: Andrew Donovan <adonovan at mpx.com.au>
>To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>Subject: The particaption of youth in Open Space
>Date: Tue, May 23, 2000, 7:28 AM
>

> Dear Friends
>
> I have a one day open space this Friday in Canberra (Australia's capital)
> for our leading adult literacy organisation. The 50 or so people attending
> are policy makers from various fields. The focus is on literacy and young
> people. Several young people will be attending (say 2-3).
>
> A member of the leadership team hosting the open space is very concerned
> that the process/the facilitator ensure that the voice of the young people
> is heard. While perhaps making some welcoming comments in my introduction,
> I don't intent to single them out or really do anything further than I
> would normally in opening the space. But, I am open to the wisdom of the
> list.  I think it's a relevant concern that a group of 40 powerful adults
> could intimidate 3 young people (their small numbers  are a problem in
> itself), even though that is not their intention.
>
> How would other people respond to these concerns, have you done anything
> differently to include young people in a largely adult group? Many thanks
>
> warm wishes
>
> andrew
>
>
>
> Andrew Donovan
> tel +61 3 9416 3021
> fax +61 3 9416 2935
> PO Box 1705
> Collingwood  VIC  3066
> Australia