World Cafe: Asking Questions Of Peace

AustraliaClaire Holland says:
Feb 4, 2012

OPS Name

World Cafe: Asking questions of Peace

Why this OPS?

I think it is important to encourage people in the community to not only think of peace in an academic setting but also how it can be implimented in practice.

Objectives

I would like to explore four questions: - what is peace? - what does peace mean locally? - how can we impliment peace? - how will we know when we have achieved peace?

How to implement it?

I invited local academics and practitioners in the peace and conflict studies fields to a lunch time conflict studies group. I will conduct the session in a world cafe format. This format encourages interactive conversation and listening and sharing ideas through small groups. People may contribute their thoughts and experiences in groups of 3 or 4, then the group comes together as a whole and the process can benefit from drawing on the collective intelligence of the group.

Benefits

Drawing on the throughs and experiences of experienced people in the academic field and also local practitioners. Hopefully generating some good options and thoughts on how we can take active steps in implementing our ideas of peace and sharing our findings with others in the community.


23 Responses

South AfricaAnita Nuss says:
Nov 19, 2009

Very important questions!
I look forward to the result...
I wish you success in your project
PIPO
AustraliaClaire Holland says:
Nov 24, 2009

AustraliaClaire Holland says:
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AustraliaClaire Holland says:
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BhutanGengop Karchung says:
Nov 24, 2009

wow....great job!!!!!
AustraliaClaire Holland says:
Nov 24, 2009

AustraliaClaire Holland says:
Nov 24, 2009

AustraliaClaire Holland says:
Nov 24, 2009

One of the great metaphors we got out of the discussion involved what we named the "Peace jigsaw puzzle". The 'pieces of peace' are like a jigsaw. Every person needs to contribute a piece. We have a vision or mental image of what the jigsaw should look like. The peace leaders are people who give structure for what peace is - ie they build the border of the jigsaw. Others fill in bits by engaging in community peace actions. We can't complete the puzzle until everyone contributes a piece!
AustraliaClaire Holland says:
Nov 24, 2009

The conversations from the session were amazing. Everyone had great insights to contribute. I think everyone was surprised at the deep level of conversation and thought that came out of the session.

The feedback was extremely positive. Everyone greatly appreciated the opportunity to talk about a topic that people often don't take the time to sit down and really think about. It sparked interest for further contemplation from a number of the participants.

I think the format was a really good way to engage in creative thinking and I hope to use the World Cafe format in future settings.
AustraliaSamHardy says:
Nov 24, 2009

I was there and it was terrific Claire! Everyone really engaged and the discussion (and the cookies!) were wonderful! Well done!
South AfricaAnita Nuss says:
Nov 25, 2009

Claire, this is awesome! I love the pictures of your discussions...I can get a sense of the dynamic participants you had.

'pieces of peace' is a genial idea..Its gonna catch on very quickly.

PeruUrsula Leyva says:
Nov 25, 2009

Nice Idea, i love the pics and it is so nice to open a space for people to discuss about peace! Pieces of peace: the name is great!

Congratulations!!!

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