WORLD CAFE TAKE-OUT MENU
Welcome to the World Cafe
Whether in small groups or in complex systems, it is through human conversation
that we discover shared meaning, access collective intelligence, and evolve the
future together. The World Cafe as a metaphor is a guiding image for this core
process. It helps us visualize the ever-expanding networks of conversation and
social learning that are the heart of organizational and community life. The World
Cafe process has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to foster authentic
conversation and knowledge-sharing among people of varied backgrounds - even
if they have never met or had formal dialogue training. Host a World Cafe
conversation yourself. You might be surprised at what emerges.
STARTERS:
To begin, gather a delightful assortment of diverse people. Ask them to recall a
time that they've experienced a significant shift through the power of
conversation and share this experience with the group for inspiration.
ENTREES:
The main course is a question to chew on. Here's one to try: WHAT
CONVERSATION, IF BEGUN TODAY, COULD RIPPLE OUT IN A WAY THAT CREATES
NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR THE FUTURE OF (YOUR SITUATION)?
DESSERTS:
Come back together for a rich and delectable sharing of new insights and ideas,
and watch the collective wisdom emerge.
TAKE OUTS:
People often leave a Cafe conversation with a new level of shared understanding
around key issues. By building on one another's knowledge, they will most likely
see action choices they didn't even know existed before. The take-outs?
Inspiration and the desire to make a difference. (No refrigeration required.
Good ideas are not perishable).
CLARIFY THE CONTEXT.
CREATE HOSPITABLE SPACE.
EXPLORE QUESTIONS THAT MATTER.
ENCOURAGE EVERYONE'S CONTRIBUTION.
CONNECT DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.
LISTEN TOGETHER FOR INSIGHTS, PATTERNS AND DEEPER QUESTIONS.
HARVEST COLLECTIVE WISDOM.