Open Space in conflict zones

averbuch averbuch at post.tau.ac.il
Tue Mar 2 14:49:52 PST 2004


Lisa,
 
 This is so inspiring!
 I wish I could be there. Could you share some more details like t how
long, what question etc. are there any proceedings that I/we could read?
 
Salute for your wonders!
Tova
 
 
Tova Averbuch             טובה אורבוך
34 Rabinovitz St.   רחוב רבינוביץ 34     
Holon            58672               חולון 
Israel        
               972-3-5523476 
         averbuch at post.tau.ac.il
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Lisa
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2004 7:27 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Open Space in conflict zones
 
Hello dear colleagues –
 
I have just returned from giving an Open Space methodology workshop for
students and staff of the School of International and Public Affairs and
the Conflict Resolution Working Group at Columbia University in New York
– folks who do international facilitation work in high conflict zones.  
 
As usual, I learn so very much from participants in these workshops –
even by the very questions they raised as their OS topics.
 
The Open Space held within the workshop was a on an issue with which
these folks always wrestle as they offer facilitation for/in communities
around the world which are in high conflict: How Do I Impact the
Communities I Work With?
 
A sampling of topics: 
-          What is my responsibility for something that I start that
could be potentially dangerous for the people I am working with?
-          How can / should I understand what came before me?
-          My family-to-be and what that means for my work with
communities dealing with conflict
-          How to address privilege, power, information and money
differentials between me and local partners?
-          Why do I want to work with “exotic” communities and not the
one closest to me?
-          When did I do a good job?  -- Measuring success
-          How does “my” “world view” impact the communities I am
working with?
-          What do we do when it feels like there is “no exit”?
-          When not to do anything – i.e., not to intervene?
 
 
One story: One of the participants facilitated his first Open Space
several weeks before this workshop.  He had never experienced OST but
had heard about it and with consultation from fellow staffers who had
used it in other countries he decided it would be the most effective
method to use for his work this time in Northern Iraq.  So he brought a
copy of Harrison’s “Open Space Technology: A User’s Guide” and read it
on the plane bringing him to that country.  His boss and mentor said he
coached this gentleman by calling him to say he would do marvelously and
simply to “Trust the process” and “Don’t get in the way” (don’t feel you
have to intervene or use another process with it).  This fine gentleman
of faith and skill and humility reported at our workshop that the Open
Space worked marvelously.  
 
As we all knew it would.
 
Yet another example of the elegance and ease (to learn) and universality
of OST’s design, and how anyone with a good heart and mind (and a bit of
reading and careful thought and intention and faith and trust and
support and skill and courage and love) can do it…
 
Take care,
 
Lisa
________________________________
 
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
lisaheft at pacbell.net
 
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