[OSList] Open Space in dictatorship

[Harrison Owen]

Ulrika -- There is, of course no guarantee, ever or anywhere, that bad
things won't happen after being in an Open Space. Of course, the same sorts
of things can and do happen even when you have never heard of Open Space.
But after 28 years in Open Space I have never seen such retribution. I've
heard of a lot of people worry about it, but so far as I know, it is a worry
that hasn't happened. Does that mean it won't? Obviously not, but as one
participant said to me at the end of an Open Space in a particularly nasty
environment, "I don't know what will happen to me, but this (the OS) was
worth it."

The examples of OS in restricted waters (that would be dictatorships of all
sorts, political, corporate, NGO's) are numerous, but I won't name any names
to protect the innocent but... Always seems to work. And actually, I have
found repressive conditions equal to most legitimate dictatorships right
there in Corporate America (or Europe, Asia, Africa). Ordinarily they don't
shoot people, but considering what is done, being shot might be a blessing.
And regardless, the space is opened with the usual results. No worries.

Harrison

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

www.openspaceworld.com 
www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)
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-----Original Message-----
From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Ulrika Eklund
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2014 5:34 AM
To: oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
Subject: [OSList] Open Space in dictatorship

Dear listmembers and all your experience

I would love to take part of your experience and knowledge about working
with OS in countries operated by dictatorship. A closed space, where you are
used/allowed to think as The party. "Its a lovely country as long as you
follow the rules" 

For example I had a training course with a group working in the authorities
and governmental bodies (national and regional level), and they listed some
of the problems in one area. After they were encouraged to brainstorm ideas
and solutions on the problems. After the task I asked - what was the new
ideas and insight you got? New?! We repeated what the party already have
decided"... so it was more a memory test :) An other exampel: in the
university where I met the students study a Human rights course sponsered by
another country. They
said: "its a good course. Why I asked and the answer was: we are allowed to
ask questions when we don't understand, you know sometimes you read a text
in the book and you don't understand and it doesnot help to read it many
times, here we can ask, and we are also allowed to discuss.  

So my question - how is Open Space working in this circumstances? How you
know people that think freely are not punished after?

WIsh you all a lovley week
Ulrika


--
Ulrika Eklund
Bergsgatan 7A
SE-112 23 Stockholm
Sweden
mobile +46-(0)70-699 86 12
--

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