Facilitating an Open Space

Harrison Owen wrote the following on the OSLIST Email Community in April 17, 2014:

“So in the peculiar situation of facilitating an Open Space: Why do we do it? Doubtless each person will have to answer that one for themselves, but I am very clear why I take on the role of facilitator. My purpose is to create an environment in which the people can experience their own power to the maximum and do things they never thought possible. To achieve this objective, the people will need the most time/space available – which means that I need to fill up as little space/time as possible. Something about being totally present and absolutely invisible.”

“…what I discovered over and over, and over again is that people have a marvelous capacity to help each other, and further – that when they learn to help, or maybe even more importantly, ask for help… Everybody is stronger.”

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Pre-conditions for self-organization
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Facilitating an Open Space
How to enable and sustain self-organization
TEDxTalk on Open Space Technology