<html>
At 11:18 PM 6/15/99 +0800, you wrote: <br>
<blockquote type=cite cite>I have just gotten into some conversations
about the reaction to Chinese groups to an Open Space event. My gut
reaction is that it would work after the initial shock of the extreeme
egalitarianism and opportunity to take responsibility for the agenda and
content. However, I do not have any empirical data to back this up.
<br>
<br>
Do any of you have stories about doing programs in a Chinese or Asian
environment, and what has been the response of the participants?
</blockquote><br>
****************************************************<br>
As I suspected, Brian Bainbridge had some useful thougfhts. He copied me
his responseto Mark, and I thought thqat others on the list might enjoy
so....<br>
<br>
Harrison<br>
<br>
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 23:18:21 -0700<br>
From: Fr Brian S Bainbridge <briansb@mira.net><br>
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To: mjpixley@ficnet.net<br>
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Subject: Mark Pixley - Re OS in "Asia"<br>
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<br>
Dear Mark<br>
Not sure if I told you when last we connected, but - as Harrison <br>
mentioned - I did some programming in Hong Kong and in Beijing a year or
<br>
so back.<br>
Without getting into dramatic detail, I need to say that in both places
<br>
the structure of Open Space took on life just as it has done in so many
<br>
other places, including Papua New Guinea (is that Asia also, do you
<br>
think?) and Guam (which perhaps isn't Asia, maybe).<br>
There has been discussion about language barriers, but I found none of
<br>
that and rather experienced the option - as I have in Europe - that once
<br>
they get into the process, there is eagerness to ensure that everyone
<br>
understands and shares thoroughly.<br>
In both the Hong Kong and Beijing programs, there were clear decisions
<br>
reached, and in both cases the decisions were not those anticipated by
<br>
the management but better and more meaningful.<br>
Especially in the Beijing program, there was great energy generated,
<br>
there was great enthusiasm, and great depth of sharing. They
figured <br>
that it was simply not on that they did not have time to get to know one
<br>
another and so understand the extent and strength of the resources <br>
available within the company - so it seemed obvious to them that they had
<br>
to make time to change that by getting to just spend time with the other
<br>
members of the company. A very simple but remarkable outcome, it
seems, <br>
and the results have been of great impact and usefulness to the people
<br>
and the company involved.<br>
And, Mark, I remain mindful of youur request that, if I am again in Asia,
<br>
you might be able to be involved. Likewise, may I suggest, if you
can <br>
get into Australia (it's very close to Hong Kong) come and see what
<br>
happens.<br>
Cheers and blessings, <x-tab> </x-tab>
BRIAN.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div align="center">
Harrison Owen <br>
7808 River Falls Drive <br>
Potomac, MD 20854 USA <br>
301-469-9269 (phone) <br>
301-983-9314 (fax) <br>
email owen@tmn.com<br>
Website
<a href="http://www.tmn.com/~owen" eudora="autourl">http://www.tmn.com/~owen</a><br>
Open Space Institute website<br>
<a href="http://www.tmn.com/openspace" eudora="autourl">http://www.tmn.com/openspace</a></html>