Difference between revisions of "World/Knowledge Café"

Difference between revisions of "World/Knowledge Café"

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{{Term|World/Knowledge Café|Creative, group process for leading collaborative dialogue, sharing knowledge and creating possibilities for action in group of any size.
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{{Term|World/Knowledge Café|A creative, group process to forge collaborative dialogue, share knowledge and generate possibilities for action in groups of any size.
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The environment is set up like a café. Every table as some refreshments and markers on it and is covered with a paper tablecloth. People sitting on a table are asked to held a series of conversation rounds on one or different significant topics, chosen by the organizers. They are asked to use the paper and the marker to keep track of their ideas in the way they prefer (drawing, writing, creating mind maps). Once the conversations are over (usually a time limit is set), people change table and before starting discussing the new topic they present the basic ideas of the group they were previously in. The most important ideas that where discussed in every group are then spread to the whole number of participants. <ref>[http://www.change-management-toolbook.com www.change-management-toolbook.com] (31 October 2008), [http://www.kstoolkit.org www.kstoolkit.org] (31 October 2008) </ref>
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The environment is set up in a café style. Every table is decked with a paper cloth, marker pens and some refreshments. Small groups of people sit around the tables and are invited to conduct a series of conversations on one or two significant topics defined by the organizer(s). The paper cloth acts as a canvas, or note pad, which everyone is encouraged to use to track their ideas by either drawing, writing, or creating mind maps. The conversations are usually given a time limit, when reached, all, except the table host, change tables to converse with a new mix of people. Prior to the beginning of the next round of conversations the ideas of the previous group, mapped on the tablecloths, are presented, facilitating the basis for new discussions. Once all rounds of conversation are complete, a discussion is initiated to transmit feedback, sharing the ideas and insights from all the groups. From this collective activity patterns emerge, knowledge is gleaned and possibilities for action realized. <ref>[http://www.change-management-toolbook.com www.change-management-toolbook.com] (31 October 2008), [http://www.kstoolkit.org www.kstoolkit.org] (31 October 2008) </ref>
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See also: [[Round Robin]]}}
 
See also: [[Round Robin]]}}
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__NOTOC__
 
__NOTOC__
 
=='''Step by Step'''==
 
=='''Step by Step'''==
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* Prepare some café-style tables, and put on them a paper tablecloth, markers and some refreshments.
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* Prepare café style tables, deck with paper tablecloths, marker pens and some refreshments.
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* Create groups of four or five people and sit each of them around a table. It is very important to keep the number of participants small. The intimacy of the small group is crucial for the discussion. Each table should never have more then 6 people.
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* Invite small groups of people to sit around the tables. The intimacy of a small group is crucial for the conversations, therefore each table should not exceed 6 people.
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* In each group identify a person that will have the role of the host and will never leave the table.
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* Elect table hosts who will remain there for the duration of the event.
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* Set up progressive rounds of conversations, each of them must be around 20-30 minutes. The number of conversations depends of the total number of participants to the word café.
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* Set a time limited for each round of conversation. The total number of rounds should be defined by the total number of participants.
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* Select questions or issues that are significant for the participants, and ask everyone to discuss them.
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* Define your question(s) or topic(s) for conversation.
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* Encourage everyone, host and other members, to write and draw on the tablecloth.
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* Encourage everyone, table host and participants, to write and draw, on the tablecloth with the marker pens provided, keeping track of their themes and ideas.
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* After the round of conversation is completed (according to the time you fixed at the beginning), ask all the participants but the host, to leave the table and sit in another one.
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* After each round of conversation is complete (according to the time frame), invite all the participants, except your table hosts, to leave the table they are siting at and move to another, ensuring a remix of people at each table.
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* Ask the table host to welcome the new guests and to introduce to them the themes and ideas discussed in the previous round. The guests are then encouraged to link to the ideas proposed by the host and share the discussions that were made in their previous tables. Since people are moving around in different tables the ideas of all the different groups start to link and connect to each other.
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* Ask your table hosts to welcome their new guests and introduce them to the themes and ideas discussed in the previous round. The new guests are then encouraged to link their conversations to the previous themes and ideas. As people move around the different table conversations begin to link and connect.
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* In the third round the participants can be invited to go back to their previous table or to go in a new one and keep exploring the topics proposed.
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* After all the rounds of conversation have been made, initiate a period of discussion with the whole group, sharing all the ideas and insights mapped on the tablecloths. In this context patterns can be identified, collective knowledge can grow and possibilities of action can emerge.<ref>[http://www.change-management-toolbook.com www.change-management-toolbook.com] (31 October 2008), [http://www.kstoolkit.org www.kstoolkit.org] (31 October 2008), [http://theworldcafe.com theworldcafe.com] (31 October 2008) </ref>
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* After all the previewed rounds of conversation have been made, initiate a period of discussion with the whole group, sharing ideas and insights of all the groups. In this context patterns can be identifies, collective knowledge can grow and possibilities of action can emerge.<ref>[http://www.change-management-toolbook.com www.change-management-toolbook.com] (31 October 2008), [http://www.kstoolkit.org www.kstoolkit.org] (31 October 2008), [http://theworldcafe.com theworldcafe.com] (31 October 2008) </ref>
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=='''Facilitator's Role'''==
 
=='''Facilitator's Role'''==
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* '''Clarify the context'''. World café should focuses on an issue that is important for the organization and for the participants. Clarify before the session what are the expectations and the requirements toward this exercise. The choice of the issues to be discussed is a very important step of the process and it's worth to dedicate some time to it.
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* '''Clarify the context'''. The World café should focus on a topic that is important not only for the organization but also for the participants. Before the session clarify what are the requirements and expectations of the exercise. The choice of discussion topic is a very important step of the process and worth dedicating some time to.
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* '''Create hospitable space'''. Tables should be distributed in a large room, with space between them. Try to create a real café atmosphere.
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* '''Create hospitable space'''. Tables should be distributed within a large room ensuring space between them. Try to create a real café atmosphere paying particular attention to ambiance and aesthetics.
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*''' Explore questions that matter'''. The questions that are discussed should be compelling and energizing, so that they can generate meaningful dialogue. Carefully choose them.
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* '''Explore questions that matter'''. The questions to be discussed should be compelling and energizing, so that they generate meaningful dialogue. Choose topics carefully.
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*'''Connect diverse perspectives'''. All the people should be encouraged to talk and to share what have been discussed in the previous rounds in the various tables, so that all the discussion will be connected between them. Invite the host to summarize, at the beginning of every new session, all the themes and ideas that have been discussed in their table.
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*'''Connect diverse perspectives'''. All invited participants/guests should be encouraged to talk and share what has been discussed in the previous rounds at the various tables, so that all conversations will be connected. At the beginning of each round invite your table hosts to summarize all the themes and ideas that have already been discussed at their table.
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*'''Listen together and notice patterns'''.  Everyone should be encouraged to have an open attitude and listen to what was discussed by the others. After the session display the drawings on the wall of the room, in an exhibition style, so that everyone can notice similarities and differences.<ref>[http://www.change-management-toolkit.com www.change-management-toolkit.com] (31 October 2008)</ref>
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*'''Listen together and notice patterns'''.  Everyone should be encouraged to have an open attitude and listen to what others have to say. At the end of the session get your table hosts to feed back to the group the key points of their table themes and ideas, and display all the tablecloth drawings on the wall of the room, in an exhibition style, so that everyone can visually identify similarities and differences.<ref>[http://www.change-management-toolkit.com www.change-management-toolkit.com] (31 October 2008)</ref>
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=='''Possible Variations'''==
 
=='''Possible Variations'''==
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This methodology, as many other presented in the site, does not have to be followed in a strict way. It can be adapted according to the goals of its use and what kind of results are to be obtained from it.
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This methodology does not have to be strictly followed. It can be adapted according to the aim of the session and its outcomes.
  
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* One possible variation of the method makes it suitable to be used in particular contexts such as a reform process or the evaluation of an action plan. In this case each table should be associated with a step of a process, for example. There should be as many table as the total number of steps in the process. Every participant is supposed to move to each one of the tables, so that he/she can give a personal insight related to everyone of the step. The final result would be a complete feedback and revisions of the process, with modifications and new insights.
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* One variation, which might be suited to a reform process or the evaluation of an action plan, requires each table to be seen as a step of the process. Thus there should be as many tables as the total number of steps of the process. All participants should independently move from table to table and be invited to give personal insights on all the steps. The outcome would be feedback to, and revisions of the process.
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* In some case it can also be useful to collect the results of the Knowledge Café on some premade template. Instead of leaving the table cloth and no instruction on how to collect the information a structured template could be distributed. This would have the advantage to lead the discussion on the issues that are particularly important for the stakeholder and also to create some results ready to use.
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* In some cases it could be useful to collect the results from the World Café on a predetermined template. This would lead the discussion to issues that are particularly important for the stakeholder, and generate results ready to use.}}
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}}
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==Job Aid==
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[[Image: pdf.png]][[Media: Toolkit_Template_World_Cafe.pdf‎| World Cafe]]
  
  
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|A quick reference guide for putting conversations to work…
 
|A quick reference guide for putting conversations to work…
 
© 2008 The World Café. [http://www.theworldcafe.com www.theworldcafe.com]
 
© 2008 The World Café. [http://www.theworldcafe.com www.theworldcafe.com]
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!File
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!Content
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|-
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|[[Image: pdf.png]] [[Media:world.pdf‎ |World Café Method]]
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|A quick guide to the world Café Method
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|}
 
|}
  
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!Content
 
!Content
 
|-
 
|-
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|[http://www.theworldcafecommunity.net/ www.theworldcafecommunity.net]
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|[http://www.theworldcafecommunity.net/ World Café Online Community]
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|The World Café Online Community Space: A great place to ask for idea and advice.
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|The World Café Online Community Space: A great place to ask for ideas and advice.
 
|-
 
|-
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|[http://www.theworldcafe.com/translations.htm www.theworldcafe.com/translations.htm]  
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|[http://academy.extensiondlc.net/file.php/1/resources/RM-ArtOfQuestions.pdf The Art of Powerful Questions]
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|Where you can find materials on the world café in different languages.
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|This article outlines how to gather insights by articulating questions that encourage reflection, openness and creativity.
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|-
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|[http://www.empowermentinstitute.net/lcd/lcd_files/World_Cafe_Hosting_Guide.pdf A World Café Hosting Guide]
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| This resource provides guidance on the key aspects to keep in mind when planning and implementing a world café, including specific advice for table hosts.
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|-
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|[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCFbNf6Mb5s World Café]
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| This video outlines the core processes and principles of the world café, focussing especially on the importance of conversations.
 
|}
 
|}
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== References==
 
== References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>

Latest revision as of 11:26, 2 November 2016

Term2.png World/Knowledge Café
A creative, group process to forge collaborative dialogue, share knowledge and generate possibilities for action in groups of any size.

The environment is set up in a café style. Every table is decked with a paper cloth, marker pens and some refreshments. Small groups of people sit around the tables and are invited to conduct a series of conversations on one or two significant topics defined by the organizer(s). The paper cloth acts as a canvas, or note pad, which everyone is encouraged to use to track their ideas by either drawing, writing, or creating mind maps. The conversations are usually given a time limit, when reached, all, except the table host, change tables to converse with a new mix of people. Prior to the beginning of the next round of conversations the ideas of the previous group, mapped on the tablecloths, are presented, facilitating the basis for new discussions. Once all rounds of conversation are complete, a discussion is initiated to transmit feedback, sharing the ideas and insights from all the groups. From this collective activity patterns emerge, knowledge is gleaned and possibilities for action realized. [1]

See also: Round Robin


Toolkit.png Organizing a World Café

Step by Step

  • Prepare café style tables, deck with paper tablecloths, marker pens and some refreshments.
  • Invite small groups of people to sit around the tables. The intimacy of a small group is crucial for the conversations, therefore each table should not exceed 6 people.
  • Elect table hosts who will remain there for the duration of the event.
  • Set a time limited for each round of conversation. The total number of rounds should be defined by the total number of participants.
  • Define your question(s) or topic(s) for conversation.
  • Encourage everyone, table host and participants, to write and draw, on the tablecloth with the marker pens provided, keeping track of their themes and ideas.
  • After each round of conversation is complete (according to the time frame), invite all the participants, except your table hosts, to leave the table they are siting at and move to another, ensuring a remix of people at each table.
  • Ask your table hosts to welcome their new guests and introduce them to the themes and ideas discussed in the previous round. The new guests are then encouraged to link their conversations to the previous themes and ideas. As people move around the different table conversations begin to link and connect.
  • After all the rounds of conversation have been made, initiate a period of discussion with the whole group, sharing all the ideas and insights mapped on the tablecloths. In this context patterns can be identified, collective knowledge can grow and possibilities of action can emerge.[2]

Facilitator's Role

  • Clarify the context. The World café should focus on a topic that is important not only for the organization but also for the participants. Before the session clarify what are the requirements and expectations of the exercise. The choice of discussion topic is a very important step of the process and worth dedicating some time to.
  • Create hospitable space. Tables should be distributed within a large room ensuring space between them. Try to create a real café atmosphere paying particular attention to ambiance and aesthetics.
  • Explore questions that matter. The questions to be discussed should be compelling and energizing, so that they generate meaningful dialogue. Choose topics carefully.
  • Connect diverse perspectives. All invited participants/guests should be encouraged to talk and share what has been discussed in the previous rounds at the various tables, so that all conversations will be connected. At the beginning of each round invite your table hosts to summarize all the themes and ideas that have already been discussed at their table.
  • Listen together and notice patterns. Everyone should be encouraged to have an open attitude and listen to what others have to say. At the end of the session get your table hosts to feed back to the group the key points of their table themes and ideas, and display all the tablecloth drawings on the wall of the room, in an exhibition style, so that everyone can visually identify similarities and differences.[3]

Possible Variations

This methodology does not have to be strictly followed. It can be adapted according to the aim of the session and its outcomes.

  • One variation, which might be suited to a reform process or the evaluation of an action plan, requires each table to be seen as a step of the process. Thus there should be as many tables as the total number of steps of the process. All participants should independently move from table to table and be invited to give personal insights on all the steps. The outcome would be feedback to, and revisions of the process.
  • In some cases it could be useful to collect the results from the World Café on a predetermined template. This would lead the discussion to issues that are particularly important for the stakeholder, and generate results ready to use.

Job Aid

Pdf.png World Cafe


MATERIAL.png Additional Materials
File Content
Pdf.png Cafetogo A quick reference guide for putting conversations to work…

© 2008 The World Café. www.theworldcafe.com

File Content
Pdf.png World Café Method A quick guide to the world Café Method



Link icon.png Web Resources
Below you have a list of selected web-sites where you can find additional information about Knowledge café.
Link Content
World Café Online Community The World Café Online Community Space: A great place to ask for ideas and advice.
The Art of Powerful Questions This article outlines how to gather insights by articulating questions that encourage reflection, openness and creativity.
A World Café Hosting Guide This resource provides guidance on the key aspects to keep in mind when planning and implementing a world café, including specific advice for table hosts.
World Café This video outlines the core processes and principles of the world café, focussing especially on the importance of conversations.

References

  1. ↑ www.change-management-toolbook.com (31 October 2008), www.kstoolkit.org (31 October 2008)
  2. ↑ www.change-management-toolbook.com (31 October 2008), www.kstoolkit.org (31 October 2008), theworldcafe.com (31 October 2008)
  3. ↑ www.change-management-toolkit.com (31 October 2008)
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