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Although this book was first published in 1992, I think it still deserves a review, since it describes a technique of facilitation that is aimed at totally empowering a group to steer and develop it's own group experience, simply by setting up an environment, opening, and then stepping back as 'facilitator'. Very often when I found that I was attracted to colleagues in the field, and we discussed why, we came to the conclusion, that we had the same style of 'doing nothing'. This is very hard to explain, since it is a negative phrase. The reading of Open Space Technology (OST) left me with knowledge of a fairly detailed description of a working method that is based on the "doing nothing" of the facilitator. It also deals with the attitude that is needed to be able to develop and use such a method to its full potential. It is described as 'holding the space', which may mean nothing more than cleaning away dirty coffee cups. Essentially it means being totally there and honest, as a facilitator, without putting anything into the group process... The underlying assumptions of this way of facilitating are: Whoever comes are the right people. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened. Whenever it starts is the right time. When it's over, it's over.' This means that the facilitator has to go in with a totally blank agenda, and a client who understands and accepts this. Owen claims that by sticking to these four principles, you get the maximum out of the group. He also warns about the frustration that will arise, if OST is used to empower a group during a conference, without giving the group the space to pursue the goals that may be set by the group. A client that only pays lip service to the four principles, without sticking to them after the meeting is over, may pay dearly for it. Surely he will effectively stifle initiative taking, and ruin the stage for a next OST happening. Owen describes the set-up for one-, two,- and three-day events. Each with their own specific needs and possibilities. A one-day event will lead to good discussions, a two-day event will also lead to written records, whereas a three-day event will also lead to action plans. The physical set-up is described in detail: there should be a circle of chairs, empty walls, computers, etc. Owen gives a checklist and a description down to details. The number of computers, break-out rooms, and so on, are given on the basis of experience, both from Owen himself and other people around the world, who use this method. Those of us that attended the AEE Europe meeting at Brathay will recognize a lot. What makes it worth an effort to read the book, is the exactness of the instructions for the set-up, and some of the descriptions of Owens own experiences. One of these descriptions, however, makes clear that this book is not so much about technique, but rather about why and how one may choose to facilitate: '...I do know that when it was all over the atmosphere of the conference was profoundly and positively different. In retrospect, nothing I might have said or done could have had as positive and powerful an impact on that gathering as the actions of the group itself, in its own wisdom, chose to take.'Jac Rongen
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