[OSList] Facilitating the Uncovering of Assumptions

[lisa kimball]

Sounds like a really important conversation!    The most "amazing" activity
I know is to have a conversation around a great question .

 

A couple of us facilitated a session to "change the conversation about
poverty" in a nearby county.  We started by inviting participants to get in
small knee-to-knee groups and answer the question "what is the story you
most often hear yourself telling about poverty in Montgomery County?" . Then
"what are your assumptions and beliefs that hold that story in place? . Then
"what would it take to change your story?"

 

And then .. off to self-organized (open space) groups to talk about
possibilities for going forward .

 

.       lisa

 

Lisa Kimball

lisa at groupjazz.com

http://www.groupjazz.com

C: 202.344.5930 

F: 202.237.1547

 

From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Evan Walsh
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 4:35 PM
To: OSLIST
Subject: [OSList] Facilitating the Uncovering of Assumptions

 

Beautiful OS community,

 

My question is not strictly focused on Open Space or its application, but
since I know you each have a wealth of experience in all kinds of hosting, I
couldn't help but see if you could help me.

 

For an upcoming conference, we would like to host spaces that encourage
participants to (i) discover how assumptions that are left unexplored
contribute to broken systems and injustice, and (ii) explore and identify
assumptions we may be holding that could be playing into those systems of
injustice.

 

So my question for you is: Do you know of any amazing activities,
structures, spaces that facilitate the uncovering and identification of
assumptions? 

 

Ideally we would like this uncovering to happen in a safe and constructive
way (i.e. We don't want people shouting at one another pointing out their
biases).

 

One example we've thought of us the Human Library <http://humanlibrary.org/>
, which is a beautiful way of breaking down barriers. Any other examples
you've come across? Any stories to share? Have you seen this happen in OS?
What lead to it?

 

Thank you,


 

Evan 

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