Parliament of Worlds Religion 2004 Barcelona

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 90

Open Space
OPEN SPACE TECHNOLOGY The experience of the Parliament of World Religions is fundamentally about encounters - encounters that shape and expand how we view this world that we all share. To help facilitate this, the 2004 Parliament has introduced a time of planned encounter - called Open Space. Open Space is a flexible, informal time to extend the conversations that you began earlier in the day, to form a discussion group around areas of shared interest, or to further explore a topic that you know little about. You may participate in Open Space discussions in two different ways: you can join in discussions that are already hosted by another group or individual, or, if you want to begin a new discussion, you can sign up to host a discussion meeting and form a new conversation group. School groups, travel groups, or other affinity groups can use this time to bring together people interested in similar topics.
CONVERSATION GROUPS Conversation Groups are a new addition to the 2004 Parliament of World Religions. This idea is based upon previous Parliament participants' desire to have a small, diverse group of individuals with whom they can share their experiences and growth throughout the week. Conversation Groups will be formed with approximately eight individuals with different religious backgrounds and from different parts of the world. These groups will then agree to meet throughout the Parliament during the afternoon's Open Space time in a room reserved for them. These groups will provide participants an opportunity to continue the transtorming encounters that the Parliament offers in a small, intimate setting, meeting with people from different religious backgrounds and countries of origin than they may be able to encounter in their home. By agreeing to meet with a small group repeatedly throughout the week, the group will be able to form relationships that will expand and deepen their experience of the Parliament,
Process: From 5:00 to 6:30 PM each day is reserved for open space meetings. If you are interested in participating in an Open Space discussion, the discussion topics will be announced at 4:00 PM each day of the Parliament (July 8th - July 13th). Discussion topics will be hosted in different rooms, ranging from large meeting rooms to smaller, more personal gatherings. Explore the variety of topics offered to seek out opportunities for transformative encounters.
Process: The conversation groups will meet during the 5:00 - 6:30 PM Open Space time on July 8th - July 13th. All conversation group participants will be oriented to the small group process on July 8th, and a closing evaluation/debriefing will take place on July 13th. All Conversation Group meetings will take place in Room 112.
If you are interested in hosting a discussion during this time, there will be a sign-up period from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Open Space/Base Groups sign-up table in the main lobby of the CCIB Building. At 3:00 PM the sign-up period will be closed and the Program Task Force will decide which discussion groups will be assigned to the limited number of rooms available. Signs announcing the room assignments will be posted at 4:00 PM near the Open Space/Base Groups table. The discussion groups themselves will take place in the various breakout rooms, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM Sign-ups for hosting a discussion group will be limited to discussions occurring that day only.
To participate in a conversation group, you must sign up at the Open Space/Conversation Groups sign-up table in the main lobby of the CCIB building on July 7th all day or July 8th before lunch. For the sake of group continuity, to participate in the conversation groups, you must be registered for the entire Parliament. We will create groups that are religiously and geographically diverse, however, efforts will be made to form groups with a common language, as no translation will be provided for individual conversation groups. Space is limited, so please come to the Open Space/Conversation Groups table in the lobby to sign up for this exciting opportunity!
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