hello andrew, i'm with ric, with some clarification... they will speak out, IF the question is something they think is important AND if they think that they are really there to be full participants. check the circumstances of their coming, self-selection, understanding and connection to the issues, opportunities to stay connected to whatever work follows, what do they feel is their responsibility/capability for addressing this question.
we had the three racine wisc youth leaders (referenced in something i posted a few days ago) and some 20 others in for the all-day open space day of the training here with harrison. they were active participants but didn't post any topics. in another situation, two student council presidents were on the planning committee for a high school district open space event and they participated like everyone else, in the planning and in the event (which also had other students attend, participate fully, post topics, etc.). so, i think you're right not to single them out publicly at the opening but it might be worth checking in with them individually, casually, before the event or as people are gathering, to see where they think they really fit into this event. whether they post any topics or not, it seems the adults that do manage to find them and hear their voices are always amazed, delighted, challenged, grateful for what they learn... and always seem to comment on that in the closing and elsewhere. best of luck with it, michael Andrew Donovan wrote: > > Dear Friends > > I have a one day open space this Friday in Canberra (Australia's capital) > for our leading adult literacy organisation. The 50 or so people attending > are policy makers from various fields. The focus is on literacy and young > people. Several young people will be attending (say 2-3). > > A member of the leadership team hosting the open space is very concerned > that the process/the facilitator ensure that the voice of the young people > is heard. While perhaps making some welcoming comments in my introduction, > I don't intent to single them out or really do anything further than I > would normally in opening the space. But, I am open to the wisdom of the > list. I think it's a relevant concern that a group of 40 powerful adults > could intimidate 3 young people (their small numbers are a problem in > itself), even though that is not their intention. > > How would other people respond to these concerns, have you done anything > differently to include young people in a largely adult group? Many thanks > > warm wishes > > andrew > > Andrew Donovan > tel +61 3 9416 3021 > fax +61 3 9416 2935 > PO Box 1705 > Collingwood VIC 3066 > Australia -- Michael Herman ...inviting results in evolving organizations Michael Herman Associates 300 West North Avenue #1105 Chicago IL 60610 312-280-7838 voice/fax mailto:[email protected] The Global Chicago Network http://www.globalchicago.net Michael Herman Associates http://www.globalchicago.net/mha
