<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" http-equiv=Content-Type>
<META content="MSHTML 5.00.2614.3500" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<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></BODY></HTML>