21 September – ‘What If?’ and ‘How Next?’



Reports from the Open Space



Searching for alternative futures and
strategies for social change.
An Open Space meeting

The third day will be dedicated to visions for the future, and also to how we can move in the direction of the futures we wish to see.

For this, we have choosen the format of Open Space, which is a simple and powerful meeting-form to engage a large group in an effective, stimulating and creative discussion around themes in need of collective action.

In an Open Space meeting participants, with the assistance of facilitators, create and manage their own agenda of parallel working sessions around one central theme of strategic importance (see above). The Open Space meeting will give you the freedom to discuss, debate, choose, decide, and take action on those themes that are most important to you and to make new contacts for your networks around the issues which most engage you. From every parallel session, there will be a written report describing the topic covered, attendees, findings, and recommendations. The reports will be written by the participants themselves and then photocopied and distributed to all at the end.

Open Space meetings take place all over the world. Here are some voices:

The Open Space form has given me a concrete experience of what self organising is – and that it is possible! This experience gives me hope in relation to the vast, difficult and conflict filled transformations that our societies must go through in the near future.
Research Director, Sweden


I can not believe all what we have done today! This is my first discussion I have had where everyone looks concerned and yearning to move on to the next step without delay. Ideas are flowing like water and the dedication of each member is a great encouragement to all of us who are participating.
Participant, Uganda


I had real reservations at the start, wondering how it would work and if groups would be intellectually challenging. Some were, some were not, but the liberating factor of being able to get up and move on made up for this. Some groups never wanted to end, others finished early and I wondered around until something caught my eye.
Participant, USA


Just think about it – I got to discuss the future with the Chair of a society of business people – and she listened to me!
Open Space made this possible.
13 year old girl, Sweden


I ask myself how it is possible that I have worked all my life with education without understanding that there is something which is much more efficient than one-way communication.
Professor emeritus and member of an Academy of Sciences, Sweden.

This is the first time many of our people have met like their ancestors did.
Participant, Canada

Please read more about Open Space here: www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?AboutOpenSpace.