A training tool, used to break barriers and overcome anxiety in a group. It is a facilitative tool in which participants learn from each other, by forming an inner circle where they discuss a topic while the remaining participants listen and observe. The purpose is to actively listen to the experiences and perspectives of a specific group of people, giving an opportunity for dialogue in a multicultural environment. Fishbowl discussion helps to observe group process and roles. It is also designed to help people listen to each other, enhancing relationships between people, communication, reflection, community building, and interpersonal development. The method to organize a fishbowl discussion is as follow:
- Four to five chairs are arranged in an inner circle, and the remaining chairs are arranged in concentric circles outside the fishbowl. A few participants are selected to fill the fishbowl, while the rest of the group sit on the chairs outside the fishbowl. In an open fishbowl, one chair is left empty. In a closed fishbowl, all chairs are filled.
- The moderator introduces the topic and the participants start discussing the topic. The audience outside the fishbowl listen in on the discussion.
- In an open fishbowl, any member of the audience can, at any time, occupy the empty chair and join the fishbowl. When this happens, an existing member of the fishbowl must leave the fishbowl and free a chair. The discussion continues with participants frequently entering and leaving the fishbowl. Depending on how large the audience is. When time runs out, the fishbowl is closed and the moderator summarizes the discussion.
- In a closed fishbowl, the initial participants speak for some time. When time runs out, they leave the fishbowl and a new group from the audience enters the fishbowl. This continues until many audience members have spent some time in the fishbowl. Once the final group has concluded, the moderator closes the fishbowl and summarizes the discussion. [1]
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FISHBOWL