[OSList] Sharing a Friend's OS Story

[Nancy White]

A friend wrote this cover to the following attachment (which he said was OK
to share). Via the American University in Central Asia. The invitation
follows his words... I just had to share. I have since heard it went well
and he will share a report to the group!

"I am doing the event. Crazy in Kyrgyzstan, I am."















* *

*Dear grandmothers police officers, students, taxi drivers,
NGO leaders, politicians and all other current residents in Kyrgyzstan!*



We would like to invite you to a very unique event. The event is a bit
difficult to explain, but we will try and hope to you will spend the weekend
with us!



We have been asking ourselves a short, but very difficult question, *“How
can responsible extractive companies operate successfully in Kyrgyzstan?”*



We have a lot of ideas and we hope you do as well. We will share ours with
you and invite you to do the same with us.



The event is “unique” because we are not inviting experts to answer the
question for you. There will not be any presentations and the only goal is
to share our ideas related to the question.



We are going to use a format called “Open Space Technology” or “Open Space
Facilitation”. There is one rule that the facilitator will explain and
repeat throughout the weekend. It is called “The Law of Two Feet”.  It means
that you, and only you, are responsible for joining conversations that you
care about. If you don’t like the conversation you are hearing, follow the
rule and join another conversation. We promise there will be a lot of
conversations to choose from. And if you don’t like the answers other people
are talking about, write your own idea and convince people to join your
group.



You are responsible for the results. You, and the people who take
responsibility to work with you, own the outputs. If you are not sure you
have ideas and just want to listen, you are welcome to come as well. You
don’t have to stay if you don’t like it. Remember the rule! The space is
open and it belongs to anyone who comes. Let’s see what we can do with it?



I assume you have a few administrative questions like:



*When and where is it?*

May 21 and 22 at American University of Central Asia (entrance from
Parliament building side). Everything starts at 09:30 so be sure to arrive
around 9:00 to pick up a name badge and have a cup of coffee or tea.

*What do I bring to the event?*

Just yourself. You might also want a pen and notebook. If you know someone
with a laptop, it might be helpful to write down the results. You can bring
a camera and tape recorder, but other people might use the Law of Two Feet
and take their conversation to another part of the open space if they don’t
want it to be recorded. No video cameras, please.

*Won’t I get hungry?*

No, Gold Fields Kyrgyzstan has offered to pay for water, coffee, tea and
lunch for registered participants.

*How do I register?*

Contact Gold Fields Kyrgyzstan to give you name and contact details,
including your organization. Registration ends Thursday, May 19.

*Will there be any translation services?*

No. Several organizers of this event speak only Russian and facilitation
will be only in Russian. If you want to develop an idea with Kyrgyz speakers
(or any other language), it’s your idea, so you can do what you like.

*What if I am against having any extractive industries in Kyrgyzstan?*

You are welcome too. Share your ideas, but people may use the Law of Two
Feet to join another conversation. The meeting is open to anybody who wants
to answer the question we have asked. Nobody will control how you chose to
discuss the answers.





See you at the Open Space event!
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