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<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=620464914-04122000>Hi
John</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=620464914-04122000>I
always have learning as one of the main objectives with OST. Learning in many
ways. Another objective is to work with the theme in question. It rarely focuses
on learning purely. Learning may be seen as a byproduct of OST,
although an important one! I try to formulate the theme towards an action of
some sort - just as I understand you do. The action steps decided on are usually
based on the learning in the past and in the OST-meeting. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=620464914-04122000>Greetings Thomas</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV align=left class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----<BR><B>Från:</B> OSLIST
[mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]<B>För </B>John
Wilson<BR><B>Skickat:</B> den 4 december 2000 14:27<BR><B>Till:</B>
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<BR><B>Ämne:</B> OST for learning
only<BR><BR></DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Friends</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have just joined the OS list and am thoroughly
enjoying working my way through the archives, what rich veins of experience in
there. I am also a relative novice to running Open Space Technology
events.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Yesterday there was a call for articles on
experiences with Open Space for an online newsletter. I have written one on an
experience I had in Zambia. When I had written it I suddenly recalled
having read somewhere that Open Space Technology workshops are not appropriate
just for learning purposes. I cannot recall where I read this (and maybe I'm
imagining it). </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>With some others I was responsible for setting up a
regional association of local non-governemnt organisations (NGOs) in east and
southern Africa. The aim of the association is to promote learning and
networking between members (who tend to work in isolation). There are various
ways in which this is happening, one of which is for practitioners to come
toegether and share with each other at workshops. These workshops are based on
a theme such as "setting up participatory monitoring systems" or "Be a better
facilitator" or "fundraising". The workshops have proved to be times of rich
learning between participants. I can see Open Space being used to make
this experience a whole lot richer. But the aim would be purley for learning -
though at the end individuals may develop their own action plans in terms of
what they would do differently. Does anyone have a comment on this? Is there a
problem using Open Space Technology purely for learning purposes?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>(I also see the Assocaiton using Open Space Technology
as an effective way to run its Biennial General Meeting - this would not be
just for learning but also for action into the future for the
association).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>With best wishes</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>John Wilson.</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>