[Dialogue] Facilitation challenge

[Duncan Holmes]

Hi Jim:

We have used the consensus workshop method in different situations like this where we had people do drawings on the cards. At times we have even said no words at all.  In some bilingual situations we have had 2 cards for each idea, one in each language - the cards taped together so they came up at the same time. I often find illiterate people are good at remembering ideas and even where they are on the wall if each card has been read. 

The other approach is to make sure when people are in small groups, there is a mix of literate and illiterate. All the dieas still get out.

Hope this helps

Duncan

Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:46:05 -0800
From: jfwiegel at yahoo.com
To: top-trainers at yahoogroups.com
CC: OE at wedgeblade.net; dialogue at wedgeblade.net
Subject: [Dialogue] Facilitation challenge



 I have an event coming up next week with some unique challenges and I would be 
> grateful for your thoughts and experience.
I got this request from another list, looking for wisdom on how to engage participants who don't read or write.  Wondering if some on the list might have experience to share
Jim Wiegel
> 
> The event will be held in
 Addis Ababa for Oxfam and it concerns designing 
> baseline research for an 11-year program to develop water rights in 
> moisture-stressed regions. It is based on an innovative approach to measuring 
> impact using so-called Theories of Change.
> 
> 
> The facilitator challenge (apart from the difficulty in getting my head around 
> all this) is that among the participants there will be several illiterate 
> farmers. Looking at most of the design ideas I am working on, there is always 
> the assumption that our participants can read and write. Furthermore, they 
> (and a few of the other participants) don't speak English and simultaneous 
> whispered interpretation will be provided.
> 
> 
> Have you had events with illiterate participants? How did you manage? I think 
> the challenge is both
 inclusion and ensuring that we are not patronizing.
> 
> 
> Any thoughts or ideas would be most welcome.
> 
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Dan
> 
 Jim

"If you really want to succeed, then you have to have the big heart, heroic will, tenacity, courage, and commitment to fearlessly engage with the evolutionary process until something profound, mysterious, and extraordinary happens that cannot be undone."  Andrew Cohen

Jim Wiegel
401 North Beverly Way, Tolleson, Arizona 85353-2401
+1  623-936-8671   +1  623-363-3277
   jfwiegel at yahoo.com   www.partnersinparticipation.com




 		 	   		  
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