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Sirin, I was very excited to read your post.<br>
<br>
I don't necessarily believe a "hierarchy" of needs myself.<br>
<br>
As for power asymmetry, I was obviously simplifying things. Where as in
the small group processes that I use, I consider it essential to manage
the interpersonal conflicts and power differences, large group
processes seem to be designed to "transcend" the conflicts. I too
believe that there are instances (or people) that need more direct
intervention, I have yet to see any process that deals with this issue
better than OST.<br>
<br>
I am also very interested to hear examples of instances where you think
that some people need to be "protected" and what kind of ground rules
you would propose. Perhaps those may "close" space but ground rules are
not foreign to OST. We have 4 principles and one LAW.<br>
<br>
Búi<br>
<br>
Sirin Bernshausen wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid1250655759@web.de" type="cite">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"></span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><font><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Suzanne
and Búi, Michael ad others � it as been a pleasure to read your
thoughts on why OS works, particularly regarding the role of human
needs, the Law of<span style=""> </span>Two Feet, and the interplay
between freedom and responsibility. Albeit usually preferring to read,
rather than post, comments I would like to contribute some of my ideas
on these topics. <o:p></o:p></font></font></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Like Búi I
come from a conflict resolution background and have done academic work
on conflict transformation and peacebuilding. I also have experienced
Open Space (a little), both as participant and facilitator. To me, Open
Space seems to be a powerful tool for conflict resolution whose
potentials, like its limitations are yet to be explored.<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">When people
talk about Open Space, I often feel reminded of the writings of
conflict resolution scholars � and vice versa. In my view, the tension
between freedom and responsibility is a crucial (positive) factor. Each
person has to find his/her own compromise between these two, and social
and cultural factors play an important role in this process (as Suzanne
has pointed out). With appropriate framework conditions, especially,
when there is enough �space� (physically, mentally, and socially)
people may sort out their individual path between freedom and
responsibility/commitment. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font
face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">Coming
back to Búi and Maslow�s hierarchy of needs, I would like to refer to </span><st1:City><st1:place><span
style="" lang="EN-GB">Burton</span></st1:place></st1:City><span
style="" lang="EN-GB"> and Galtung. Although they do not necessarily
believe in a <i style="">hierarchy</i> of needs, they regard the
denial or violation of human needs as major causes of conflict. Open
Space however, inter alia due to the Law of Two Feet, allows people to
act according to their nature (Suzanne) and thus to satisfy some of
their intrinsic human needs. <o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">There will
however never be a fixed and final modus operandi � the struggle
between freedom and responsibility/ commitment is a dynamic process.
Yet this precisely makes it a very powerful process. Going through this
struggle gives rise to a sense of ownership, of empowerment and
activity. (It does not necessarily allow people to feel completely in
control � which is a good safeguard against superegos.) <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">At the risk
of over-generalisation, when it comes to conflict resolution and
peacebuilding I go with Lederach who holds that sustainable approaches
involve a diverse range of actors, they follow a holistic, multi-track
approach and (cor)respond to the needs and ideas of<span style=""> </span>people.
Despite the importance for high profile diplomacy in certain
circumstances, these approaches must be firmly rooted at the grassroots
level � as far as possible developed and owned by local communities.
According to Lederach, conflict transformation is a long-term goal
which requires technical conflict resolution skills but also
creativity, intuition, space, and a capacity for moral imagination.
These �success criteria� largely correspond with the principles behind,
and components of, Open Space. Open Space thus appears to be a very
suitable tool for conflict resolution. Not as a stand-alone approach
and certainly not in every circumstance, but still. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Finally,
regarding Búi�s suggestion that the Law of Two Feet takes care of the
problem of power asymmetry between conflict parties, I am not fully
convinced. Participating in Open Space, I experienced situations where
people could not cope with power differences and conflict. Having
discussed these situations with others, I concluded that a set of
ground rules could have �protected� people. Of course, I understand
that this would go against the principles of Open Space, that it would
close space. Yet I think that some people may be too vulnerable/ not
prepared/ etc to constructively engage with the conflictive dynamics in
Open Space. A form of safe-space dialogue or more facilitated mediation
would have been better for them. So I do see situations, where Open
Space is inappropriate for conflict resolution purposes. As a
mediator/facilitator it is my responsibility to assess the situation,
and to ensure that - whichever form of intervention I decide to use - I
at least do not cause a deterioration of the status quo. (This refers
explicitly to conflict interventions; not necessarily to th</font></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">e use of OS
as a conference or �envisioning� method).<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">I have not
carefully thought through these matters yet � so please excuse some
degree of inconsistency and confusion. But as we all know, chaos,
confusion and conflict can be very good and productive states :-)<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style=""
lang="EN-GB"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Sirin<o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p>
<br>
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<hr><b>Von:</b> OSLIST <OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU><br>
<b>Gesendet:</b> 13.02.07 22:16:54<br>
<b>An:</b> <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a><br>
<b>Betreff:</b> Re: Open Space -- A Quiet Revolution<br>
<br>
I have heard it mentioned many times (and Harrison mentioned this
againrecently) that we don't exactly why OST works. I believe that
there areseveral theories that can explain why it works so well.
Suzanna offersone explanation (a theory that I did not know before),
but I am surethere are many others.<br>
<br>
Coming from a conflict resolution background, I can think of at least
acouple of possible explanations myself. I am not a theorist so I am
notgoing into detail. One of the most popular conflict theories is
basedon Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The Hierarchy consists of (the
lowerones being more basic):<br>
-Self Actualization Needs (full potential)<br>
-Ego Needs (self respect, personal worth, autonomy)<br>
-Social Needs (love, friendship, comradeship)<br>
-Security Needs (protection from danger)<br>
-Physiological Needs (warmth, shelter, food)<br>
(Wikipedia has some more information <a
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs</a>)<br>
<br>
I am myself not convinced that this order applies to everyone, and
atall times, but nevertheless OST is a great vehicle for people
tosatisfy many of the "higher" needs.<br>
<br>
Another factor that mediators (and facilitators etc.) always have
toplay close attention to, is the dynamics of power, and many (if
notmost) groupdecision-making processes have to deal with the challenge
of somepeople trying to dominate with their power and others trying
tocompensate for their lack of power (often through disruptive means).<br>
<br>
The amazing thing with OST is that the Law of Two Feet takes care ofall
this. You don't have to be dominated by someone else because youcan
always leave. You can join whatever group you want. You can alsopropose
your own topic and take responsibility for it too. Veryempowering.<br>
<br>
I say all this without having experienced an OS event yet myself, butit
all makes complete sense to me. I am sure there are others that
knowtheory a lot better than I do, I would imagine that if someone
sodesired, it would be very possible to make a detailed
theoreticalexplanation of OST.<br>
<br>
I hope this makes sense.<br>
<br>
Búi<br>
<br>
<br>
</OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
<p><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="-1"><strong>Búi
K.Petersen,</strong> <em>Cert. ConRes.</em><br>
mediator and facilitator</font></p>
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