We can organise, facilitate or host an event for you, using this engaging and productive approach to large group facilitation.

Objective and Context

A hosted conversation engaging cross-pollination of thinking as people mix and match with new conversation partners while they explore a series of thoughtful, evocative questions. These conversations are not facilitated – the participants themselves engage each other in these discussions as the facilitator takes them through this series of questions. Insights, new questions, results and suggestions are recorded and ‘harvested’ at the end. A world cafe event may be followed by other types of meetings to process its outcomes.

Number of Participants

Any number of participants, from 12 to 1,200+. One facilitator can lead any size group.

Timing

From 1.5 or 2 hours to several days, depending on purpose and design.
For a two-hour meeting, 15 minutes for framing and explaining the process, then three sessions of 20 to 30 minutes for discussing three or four questions.
End with some time to invite participants to reflect upon and name what patterns and linkages they noticed.