Using open space to aid race relations

Tue Apr 17 06:39:46 PDT 2001

Hello Susan,

I posted to this list not long ago regarding a two-day Open Space between native and non-native participants, the situtation in Eastern Canada has been extremely volatile of late.  I can forward it directly to you if it would be easier to access.

I have also used Open Space with race relations in a local Community College where racial incidents were popping up.  I worked in areas of race relations, diversity, and conflict resolution and mediation prior to discovering Open Space with Birgitt.  I was dubious about using this method in case conflict arose.  And then I remembered that my philosophy around mediation is simply to provide a container where those in dispute regain their dignity to solve it.  Using Open Space continues to humble me in terms of reminding myself to simply provide container and watch how wonderous human beings can be.  I'm not suggesting that everyone loves the process, and continue to watch myself struggle with the few who speak to "lack of structure" when evaluating the process!!  From my experience in this area, for most people it is the first time they heard the objectified "other" side!!

J

Judith L. Richardson
B.A. B.Ed. CNE
M.A. Candidate
Paralegal Studies
Akerley Campus
Nova Scotia Community College
21 Woodlawn Road
Dartmouth, N.S. B2W 2R7
902 - 491-4900
902 - 491-4864
fax 902-491-4903

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>From  Tue Apr 17 09:06:12 2001
Message-Id: <TUE.17.APR.2001.090612.0500.>
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 09:06:12 -0500
Reply-To: dwcox at mail.astate.edu
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: David Cox <dwcox at mail.astate.edu>
Subject: Cynics in Open Space
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I work in higher education which is knee deep in cynicism.  I read a
sentence in a book the other day that really grabbed my attention and made
me think twice about cynics in Open Space.  The sentence was very uplifting
and I wanted to pass it on.

"A cynic is a passionate person who does not want to be disappointed again."
(Roz and Ben Zander in their book The Art of Possibility).

The great thing about Open Space is that is never disappoints.

Dave Cox

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