Imams and Rabbis -- Good News and Bad news in Open Space (definitely Long)

[Harrison Owen]

At odd points I have remarked that there is good news and bad news about
Open Space. The good news is that it works. And the bad news is that it
works. I think we saw that in spades over the past several days in Seville,
Spain when some 120 Imams and Rabbis plus and equal number of "experts"
(largely academics) and students gathered for the 2nd Global Congress of
Imams and Rabbis for Peace. 

Telling the tale will require a little history first, and then - to the best
of my ability - I will describe what happened. But as is usual in such
situations, there was so much going on every second, much of which was well
below the surface, I must emphasize that this is simply my view (what
else?). I didn't see it all, and nobody could, so there will be some guesses
here and there. Once the tale is told I will attempt some reflections and
learnings. I know that I learned an enormous amount about human beings in
this early part of the 21st Century, about Open Space, and about me. And of
course, this will only be a "first cut." Doubtless there will be more.

The story actually begins several years ago when I had the privilege of
opening space for 50 Palestinians and Israelis in Rome (see
http://www.openspaceworld.com/opening_space_for_peace.htm ) Two of the
sponsors of that event were apparently deeply affected (positively) and
sometime later, when they began to work with a French organization called,
Hommes de Paroles, which was seeking to bring together Imams and Rabbis as a
means for peace - they suggested that one approach might be Open Space. We
had several conversations at the time, but it was very clear to me that the
sponsors were by no means ready to take that step, and I advised against it.
A year passed and they came back (last fall) - and this time there seemed
like more of a possibility. But I still had some reservations which I
shared, however, they were convinced that Open Space was the way to go,
provided there could be a day up front, run in the mode of a traditional
conference (speakers and facilitated groups), and followed by two full days
in Open Space. I really could not say no.

I persuaded two of the staff from Hommes de Paroles to come to Berlin for
our Practice of Peace Program so that they could have a first hand
experience of Open Space, just to make sure that they really wanted to take
this trip, and it seemed that they did, and so we began preparations. To
help out I asked that Michael Pannwitz and crew be invited to support the
effort and that was agreed to. So it was off to the races!

The conference started on the 20th of March and ran for 3 days, ending on
the 22nd. The first day, as I indicated, was to be done in the "traditional"
mode and so Michael, his wonderful crew, and myself used the time to get
ready. As a consequence we (or at least I) were not paying much attention to
what was happening and how things were going. Therefore it came as rather a
surprise when one of the Hommes de Paroles Staff raced up to me during the
lunch break to say that the morning had been a disaster and everything was
about ready to explode. There were two more facilitated sessions scheduled
for the afternoon, but given what had happened in the morning that did not
seem to be an attractive option - and the question was - how fast could we
open space?  After a quick consultation with Michael and crew it seemed like
an hour might do - and so by 4 pm (lunch is late and long in that part of
the world) we were ready to go. 

The temple bells were rung and the people came - but it was very clear by
number of empty seats that only about 2/3 of the people had arrived. No
explanation was offered, and things were happening so fast that I saw no
option but press ahead. The opening was standard-by-the-book, although I
must say that it took every ounce of experience and energy I possessed to
focus and support the massively conflicted spirit(s) present in that room.
But everything happened just like usual. Four principles, law of two feet,
and a massive outpouring of issues. Michael tells me there were 87 coming
from 200 people. 

Because it was late in the day and people were clearly exhausted we had
decided to convene the first session the following morning. I could see a
number of negatives to that, but the added time overnight also made it
possible to complete some arrangements that we hadn't quite gotten to, and
besides there would doubtless be more issues in the morning. And so we
adjourned for the evening. I confess to an overwhelming feeling of
exhaustion and exhilaration, both and simultaneously. As they say in the
sports world, at least in the US, I left everything on the field. Nothing
held back. It was, so far as I could see a "go for broke" situation - and if
the magic of Open Space had not done its usual, I didn't have a clue what
the plan "B" might be, and certainly no energy left to implement it. 

As I left the meeting hall, it seemed to me that a definite change in mood
had taken place. Perhaps it was just my normal optimism, but the feeling of
the place had moved from something close to dark despair towards excited and
expectant confusion. This was all new for everybody, and in many ways it
would have been much better if we could have immediately gone into sessions,
but that option had been passed by. However, as I was making my way to my
room for a little R&R (rest and relaxation) one of the participants
literally raced up to me and breathlessly said, "Thank you, thank you for
saving the meeting." Needless to say I was pleased, and I turned to him and
said - "And Thank you too - you saved it!"

The next morning, we opened space for new issues - and before we were done a
total of 141 issues had been posted (Michael's count). A number were
obviously posted by people who had not been present the night before because
it was quite apparent that they did not quite understand the procedure -
however they seemed genuinely pleased to just have the opportunity to make a
statement. Things went on a little longer than they might should have,
causing the first session to be truncated. But by the middle of the
afternoon it seemed that a real flow had been established, and the confusion
of the morning was replaced by multiple groups meeting --  doing what ever
they needed to do. 

As I was drawing my first more or less relaxed breath in 24 hours, I was
approached by a staffer from the organizing group who informed me that the
sponsor wanted to have a conversation. Of course I agreed, and some little
time later we took refuge in my room. He asked me how I thought things were
going, and I said, quite honestly, that everything seemed to be right on
track - happening just the way I would expect. Then he made it clear that he
needed to be able to issue a press release by 6 pm the following day which
would include a statement by the congress (presumably approved by all) along
with concrete action steps. He then asked me if I could produce such a
result with Open Space. I told him frankly that there were no guarantees.
Although I did feel it quite likely that many of the groups would bring
their discussions down to the point of action, all of which might be
announced to the press. However, when it came to the formal "statement,"
that sort of thing just really did not happen in Open Space. 

The presence of the Press was pretty massive and overwhelming. I knew that
they would be there, and understood the sponsors' desire to have the press.
I cautioned, however, that if the Congress turned into one big press
conference - the possibilities for meaningful dialogue and real progress
would go down drastically. I thought that I had been heard, and in fact
there was an agreement that the press would be present for the opening
ceremony and again at the end. But that message obviously never really got
through. The press was all over the place, and there was nothing I could do.
It also became very clear that from the sponsor's point of view, press
coverage, and a final statement with action plans to feed the press was a,
and possibly the, major priority. When I was unable to make any iron clad
guarantee, the sponsor said that under those circumstances they would
probably have to stop the Open Space.

Our conversations continued over the day, but so far as I knew no decision
had been taken, and when it came time for Evening News that proceeded as
usual. In fact it was absolutely "text book." There were people saying that
the day had been a life changing experience. Others said that when they
came, they had no hope, but that now hope was alive again. There were also
comments to the effect that there was a lot of work to be done, and that on
the morning we really had to get moving. It was - so far as I was concerned
-- exactly what I would have anticipated for the evening of the first day,
and more to the point, positioned us very well for a very high level of
focused attention and action when the morning came. But it did go on... and
on. The sponsors had indicated that they wanted to speak with me again
before dinner, and so I asked Michael if he could close out Evening news -
which he did with elegance! And I went to see the sponsors.

The conversation was short and to the point. Open Space was closed. I
indicated that while I thought I could understand some of the pressures,
needs and concerns that would bring them to that point, I also felt
constrained to say that a large number of their delegates had worked very
hard, invested a great deal, and were expecting to carry on the following
day. I felt it essential that their work and persons be acknowledged and
honored - and further that I did not have a clue how to do that, nor did I
think it appropriate for me to even try. It was their meeting, and I had
done all I could do. I left the sponsoring group to their deliberations.

The announcement of the closing of Open Space and the program for the
following day was made at dinner. It was to be a series of plenary sessions
in which an action plan and final statement were to be created. In the
morning the delegates would be invited to make suggestions, and the
sponsoring committee would work out the details over lunch and come back to
the delegates in the afternoon. I must say that the announcement of the
changes in program was handled extremely well, regardless of what I may have
though about the decision itself.

The next (and final day) was one continuing plenary session. Needless to say
I had no part, which allowed me to hang out in the lobby, and Michael and
his marvelous crew could prepare the proceedings. In fact a number of the
groups had not only met, but also reported. Most were quite brief, but
several ran to 10 pages. Michael and Co had their work cut out for
themselves.

As I wandered the lobby I confess to a certain sadness for what might have
been - but over the day this sadness was replaced with a sense of wonder for
what had actually taken place and was in fact taking place. All during the
day there was a constant flow of individuals coming to me with profuse
thanks for the opportunity of the previous day. Others came wanting to know
if we could do training programs in their lands, and how Open Space might
work with their multiple constituencies. Even more wonderful were the
Africans who "got" Open Space instantaneously - and were very pleased (and
surprised) to know that Open Space came from Africa - at least my
inspiration for it. This quickly countered muted expressions that had
surfaced in odd spots to the effect that all of this was all an "American"
invention - and we all know what we think of Americans! Especially Americans
who wore strange hats! (smile)

The proceedings were done and delivered by 8 pm. Michael, the Crew, and I
felt that since a Stammtisch had yet to be held in Seville, there was no
time like the present. A marvelous, small, neighborhood gathering place
presented itself, well supplied with good drink and outstanding Tabas (sp?).
Who could ask for anything more?

After a very short night, it came time to leave. My flight was an early one,
so I never did see Michael et al, but I felt surrounded by the affection of
warm people. There was a whole bus full going to the airport, and I sat next
to a Greek Rabbi. We talked of life, death and the possibility of renewal.
Just idle chatter! And when it came time to go to my gate I turned before
leaving to catch sight of the Imam from Kenya, a huge beautiful man. He
smiled broadly so I went over to shake his hand. To my surprise, he brushed
my hand away and simply buried me in a warm crushing hug. I thought I was
pretty good at this hugging business, but I definitely need some lessons,
and I got one. As I turned to walk on the plane, I heard the Imam say loudly
to his fellows - "That is a great man." Truly I felt embarrassed, but also
very good. And I think we did some good.


So what have we learned?  

 Doubtless the lessons will continue to surface, but a major one for me
might be: REALLY Be Prepared to Be Surprised! I frankly thought I had
covered all the important bases with the sponsor, but obviously things had
changed, as they have nasty habit of doing. There were times when I
personally felt the growing heat of anger, combined with feelings of abuse
of the people who had invested themselves in the day of Open Space and of
myself. It did occur to me that the sponsoring group really did not want
open exchange and dialogue, but had only agreed for Open Space as a "cover"
for plans and intentions that existed well before the meeting. There was no
question that the need for control was very strong in that group, and that
the pride of position and possibility of slight were always present - so
that my suspicion might well have had a foundation. That said, it was also
true that the ambient forces, currents, swirls, and side eddies were so
abundant and confusing that anybody who claimed to actually know what was
going on, or worse to be in Control - truly looked a little silly. We
started very much in a control mode, with the first day's formal sessions -
and they simply blew up - and showed every sign of continuing to blow up
until we opened space. The day in Open Space was rich and intense, albeit
confusing. But the strange thing is that when the group went back into the
"control mode" on the 3rd day - things did not blow up! The people who put
that day together said they were going to operate in an "Open Space Mode"
(whatever that might mean) - and I think that is pretty much what they did.
Somehow it all flowed together with a consistency that was certainly not
apparent at the beginning, or even moment to moment. My feeling is that it
was all open space, of which the Open Space which I facilitated was just a
part - albeit a useful part. Go figure, but definitely surprising.

Harrison

  

  



Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland   20854
Phone 301-365-2093
Skype hhowen
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com <http://www.openspaceworld.com/>

Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website www.ho-image.com 
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