PHA-Exchange> OST: An alternative conference method?

[Claudio]

> -David Patient
>
> Maybe there are methods to make conferences work for everybody?  Open
Space Technology (OST) - An alternative conference method?
>
> I have been involved in AIDS for close to 22 years, and have at-
> tended many conferences during this time: Protesting outside
> with ACT UP during the early years of activism, and as a pre-
> senter of Positive Living and long-term survival in later years.
> So I believe I am justified in saying that I know something
> about AIDS conferences.
>
> AIDS conferences - at least from the perspective of non-medical
> people working for various agencies - are plain boring, pre-
> scriptive, and non-interactive. The fees for attending are high,
> and the fees for stalls unbelievably discriminating against de-
> veloping world agencies. The only people who get to have their
> say in any cohesive manner are the pharmaceutical companies, who
> can afford such fees. As for the papers presented, these are
> usually read on the plane, train or bus home, if at all.
>
> However, there is indeed a reason to attend these conferences:
> You get to meet people who work in the field, share ideas, and
> establish valuable networks. The odd thing is that all this use-
> ful interaction happens outside the conference rooms, typically
> at the tea and coffee station.
>
> I think it's time we changed the way we do conferences: If we
> keep doing what we have always done, why are we surprised when
> we keep getting the same old answers? Lets try something differ-
> ent! There is indeed a model for doing conferences a la the cof-
> fee station meeting place: Open Space Technology (OST).
>
> OST is a highly effective conference method, especially suited
> for dealing with problems or challenges that do not have cut-
> and-dried solutions. The method is a hybrid cross between the
> African Village Market, where everyone comes together for a few
> days to discuss common concerns, and the Native American meeting
> process, where everyone is assured of being heard.
>
> However, it is indeed structured and facilitated, to ensure that
> all issues are given time, principles of brain-storming are hon-
> ored, discussions are solution-focused, there is depth to the
> discussions, and that a full record of proceedings is collated.
>
> The approach is ideal for difficult issues, such as how to deal
> with stigma: We get to hear from people who have actually dealt
> with the problem, struggled, and found some useful answers. They
> in turn hear from other people, and an organic process occurs,
> where each person feeds into - and from - the others: You get to
> hear from 'experts', lay counselors, those affected and infected
> ... everyone. Together, we find solutions, and practical ones at
> that.
>
> How does OST work? The concept is simple: Propose a theme -
> e.g., Understanding and overcoming stigma in the delivery of
> HIV/AIDS services - and invite people who are interested in the
> topic to attend. However, no-one arrives with anything prepared
> to present, only a passion to brain-storm solutions, share ex-
> periences, ask questions, and work. Delegates are invited to
> bring any material other delegates might find useful. All meals,
> tea, water and coffee are served inside the room, which is es-
> sentially a very large coffee station!
>
> The first step of the conference is to list the various topics
> that delegates want to deal with. How? The facilitators ask the
> delegates: "What do you want to discuss and brain-storm, within
> this overall theme?"
>
> Then the rules of OST are explained: If you raise an issue, you
> head up the work group. Why? Because the best work is done by
> those most passionate about the subject. Within an hour or two,
> all the subject titles are listed, along with a schedule of when
> they will occur. The second rule is that you only attend the
> work groups that you are interested in. When you get bored, or
> you have contributed what you want to contribute, you can get up
> and move to another work group. It's called the 'Bumble Bee'
> principle: Pollinate, then move along. The third rule is that
> only one person speaks at a time.
>
> Each working group - several of which run parallel in terms of
> time - has a head facilitator (who proposed the topic), and
> someone who takes notes of what was discussed. A time limit is
> set: Half of the time is for describing the 'problem', and then
> the other half is for brain-storming possible solutions. At the
> end of each day, notes are handed in to a bank of typists, who
> record all proceedings. At the end of the conference, everyone
> receives the full conference report, of each working group.
>
> The function of the facilitators is to move from group to group
> and throw out ideas, comments and observations - what we call
> 'hot potatoes' - to challenge and or stimulate the participants
> to stretch and take risks, much along the lines of true 'lateral
> thinking' and brainstorming.
>
> Does it work? Indeed: Several years ago we ran an OST process
> concerning HIV and the Workplace. At the start of the four day
> conference we identified 78 issues amongst the 216 delegates. At
> the conclusion of the process we had answers and workable solu-
> tions to 68 of the 87 issues.
>
> Show me any conference with that level of successes and involve-
> ment from the delegates! I've certainly never walked away from
> any conference as 'full' as I do when I have run an OST process.
> It is solution and action focused: The underlying outcome focus
> is "What can I do Monday morning when I am back in my of-
> fice/community?"
>
> We will be announcing an Open Space Technology conference on
> Stigma that will take place in early 2005, in South Africa. We
> are just finalizing the venue and the logistics. For those of
> you whom attend, be prepared to have your world rocked. Between
> all of us, we do have the answers...we just need the platform to
> share our collective experiences and learn from one another.
>
> If you would like more information please feel free to contact
> me at mailto:david at empow.co.za
>
> David Patient
> PLWA 21+ years
> mailto:david at empow.co.za
>