Observations from Open Space

 By Phil Hilfiker

I spent the weekend at Facilitation Camp. An ‘unconference’ built on the principles of Open Space. This means the agenda is designed by participants on the day and a structure emerges built on the energy and interests of the people who are there.

This was the first time I have really encountered Open Space and it has taken me a while to understand what it is all about. It sounds woolly and uncoordinated, but in fact the structure that emerged on the day was more relevant than any other conference I have been to. It’s not just about people co-designing or being consulted about what goes on the agenda. But about people coming together and creating shared ownership over content and process. And collaborating to make it happen.

If your still not convinced, think about how many meetings you have been to that didn’t offer an ‘open space’. Indeed, many of our most important public decisions are set up with entrenched power dynamics and a closed agenda. In these situations people are not encouraged to think about the most important questions, let alone get a chance to actually ask them.

Thanks to DecisionLab, London Creative Labs and others who dreamt up and organised and hosted Facilitiation Camp 2010.