[OSList] OS cred that may appeal to a UN agency?

[Harrison Owen]

Tricia – The UN, like many similar organizations, is bureaucratically, systemically, spiritually antithetical to Open Space... but guess what? OS does show up and in fact has been used for years. My major contact is with the Human Rights people, whose job it is to go where nobody in their right mind would go. Into the meanest, nastiest conflicts on the planet – right in the middle, between the conflicted parties. And quite often the chosen vehicle is good old OST. So whenever you think you are facing a “hard day” in Open Space, just think about the wonderful possibility of opening some space for the FARC and the Columbian Government! One thing I have learned when dealing with such folks (UN types, that is), particularly when writing proposals for them, is Don’t make a big deal out of Open Space. And certainly don’t try to sell them/explain it. And a workable design is to give them what they expect, then “sucker-punch” them with Open Space at the end. Goes like this: Part I All the talking heads, Practice Modules, etc. that the might expect. Part II “Assimilation and Future Planning” (aka OST). And make sure it is at least 1 (one) day.

 

ho

 

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

USA

 

189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)

Camden, Maine 04843

 

Phone 301-365-2093

(summer)  207-763-3261

 

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From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Tricia Chirumbole
Sent: Friday, November 01, 2013 3:46 PM
To: World wide Open Space Technology email list
Subject: [OSList] OS cred that may appeal to a UN agency?

 

Hi all!

 

I am writing a proposal to the UN for an evaluation of a Gender-based violence Information Management System (IMS) that is in use in conflict/post-conflict areas - I am writing it on behalf of the market research and strategy firm that I do work for, Junicon. 

 

As I develop the methodology, it occurred to me that it could be valuable to slip in an Open Space at the beginning of each of the country field missions (5-7 days, 3 countries, 2-4 stakeholder organizations in each country, but few reps from each stakeholder org involved with the IMS).

 

Based on my experience, there will be concern with getting interested parties in the room at the same, as well as concern with any engagement that takes more than 1.5 hours...those issues aside, does anyone know of any UN use of Open Space, or related experiences that may be appealing to a body such as the UN 

 

Thank you!!!




Tricia Chirumbole

Open Space Facilitator, Certified Scrum Master

Mojo Collaborative

www.mojocollaborative.com

 

571-232-0942

skype: tricia.chirumbole

twitter: @themojozone

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