Use of Open Space Technology in Nigeria Mediation

Mon Jan 5 14:03:55 PST 2004

Peggy,
Thanks for passing along Joel's message.

Joel,
Your work is almost unbelievable and beautiful. Thanks for serving this
world so well!
I admire your determination in getting to the right people and be
convincing enough to get them to engage in the process.
Good luck and much satisfaction to you in keeping the space open for the
next steps to happen.
Harrison is right: "prepare to be surprised"! Thanks to him for sharing
this wonderful work!

Dominique.

Dominique Proudhon
Group facilitation
Dialog and Problem solving
Conflict resolution
Dampierre
38470 Notre Dame de l'Osier
France
(33) 4 76 36 71 34
'33) 6 78 91 48 77

-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Peggy
Holman
Sent: lundi 5 janvier 2004 18:20
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Use of Open Space Technology in Nigeria Mediation

Friends,

Below is an inspiring report that Joel Bisina of Nigeria asked me to
send to you.  He came to the Practice of Peace at the Whidbey Institute
and has already begun to make a difference because of the experience.

from snowy Seattle,
Peggy

(P.S.  In his message, POP is Practice of Peace, SW is Spirited Work)

Subject: Mediation In Ongoing Crisis Between Ijaws And Itsekiris Of
Warri Delta State Nigeria.
Dear Members Of POP and SW Global Community.
I an glad to inform you all of a successful first phase mediation on the
Seven (7) Years old intractable conflict between the Ijaws and The
Itsekiris, two ethnic nationalities in the oil rich Niger Delta Region.
This is a conflict that has claimed well over 2,000 lives and rendered
more than 10,000 people homeless, as well as destroying millions of
dollars worth of property.  I am especially interested in telling you
about how I was able to use what I learned at Practice of Peace and
Spirited Work to effect a positive outcome.
My non-profit organization, NIDPRODEV (Niger-Delta Professionals for
Development) in collaboration with IFESH (International Foundation for
Education and Self Help) sponsored a multi-level mediation workshop from
14th to 17th and 18th to 21st of December, 2003.  In this first phase,
we met separately with Ijaws and the Itsekiris, targeting the leaders of
the combatant groups on both sides.  The initial focus of this
intervention was to obtain a ceasefire amongst the two warring groups
and also to facilitate them to explore other creative means of
addressing the issues rather than resorting to violence.
The member of your global community Joel Bisina led the mediation, and I
am glad to inform you that the program recorded a high level of success.
Not only did each group denounce violence as an option for getting their
needs met, they also pledged to collaborate with each other to
co-creatively find a solution to the problem.  Both sides have had
follow-up meetings with their various groups and have resolved as a next
step to engage in a more constructive joint session.
My participation at POP and SW was instrumental to the success recorded
. I designed the mediation to use several strategies I learned,
including OPENSPACE TECHNOLOGY, as well as THE REFLECTIVE OPENING AND
CLOSING CIRCLES.   However, it is worthy of note to mention that  when
we started the session, I saw that the participants were very agitated,
and unable to focus on moving forward in a collaborative way. I
remembered my participation at the session convened on COMPASSIONATE
LISTENING convened by Leah Green and her team and decided to try that
approach.  It was of immense benefit, as the participants for the first
time felt listened to and had the opportunity to listen to each other's
side of the story.
The openspace technology was very helpful as it enabled me to open up
space and hold the space while the participants took responsibility for
their actions and their issues. This was needed to vent tension and
anger. And it created BROTHERHOOD.
Some of the results of this intervention included
*      Change in perception
*      A resolution that violence does not pay any one
*      A resolve to collaborate for joint problem solving
*      A commitment to continue to work amongst ethnic groups to hold
the space for the peace while the issues are being addressed
It is of further interest to mention here that I was invited to observe
a similar initiative that is being facilitated by an NGO run by an
American woman here which is aimed at the elders, community leaders, and
government security agents. Unfortunately, this session ended in a
deadlock.   It was clear the facilitator was not familiar with Open
Space Technology, Compassionate Listening, or the other techniques I was
exposed to at POP and SW.  The facilitator also observed my mediation
sessions, and I am glad to inform you that she has approached me to help
out and teach her some of these skills.
Both of these initiatives are supported financially by USAID/The US
Embassy here in Nigeria.
I will let you know of the outcome of the joint session  between the
Ijaws and Itsekiris coming up the second week of January 2004.
Read and let me know what you feel .
Joel Bisina
I also intend to post this on catalyst for more members of the global
community to see how they are contributing to my work here.
_______________________________
Peggy Holman
The Open Circle Company
15347 SE 49th Place
Bellevue, WA  98006
425.746.6274
www.opencirclecompany.com
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