The transformative intent of the Facilitation Methods Collection was and is to give insights and access to group and individual methods which broaden and transform effective participation in decision making and deepen collaboration among people. These methods came out of experimentation by the Institute of Cultural Affairs and Ecumenical Institute with creating practical, applicable forms of social responsibility for use in groups, organizations,  and with individuals.

RELEVANCE TODAY

The situation is still basically the same. Significant trends include:

• more blending of hierarchical and facilitative approaches
• the emerging requirements of increasing collaboration,  including blending facilitating, implementing, leading, managing multiple teams
• face to face and online connections
• shifting memberships   

At the same time socially, there is an increasing addiction to confrontation, positionality, individualism and a loss of any sense of the common good.  There is also evidenece of an increasingly wide range of capacities and familiarity with basic participatory techniques. Organizations and sectors are rapidly developing highly collaborative work styles, teams, and ways of operating. Side by side, institutions and sectors seem entrenched in rigid, counterproductive approaches.

The the bulk of resources for this collection come from a “living archive” of active networks, training systems and courses, current publications, studies and case examples representing the efforts of thousands of practitioners (facilitators, organizational leaders, trainers, and others) in every sector and around the globe.  Additionally, this collection is highly networked with a plethora of other contemporary sources and approaches both within the growing fields of professional fields of facilitation, conflict transformation, public participation and the like.

Therefore, many of our assets are links.