Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2017/Programme/Submission/Facilitation Skills for Humans

Title of your proposal

Facilitation Skills for Humans

Name(s) and/or username(s)

Asaf Bartov, Asaf (WMF) (Ijon)

Wikimedia Foundation

Topic

Conflict resolution + Community health

Type of submission (Please choose one)

Workshop (work in groups)

Summary

Facilitation is a set of practices and a role that concerns itself with assisting (usually goal-oriented) conversations run smoothly and productively. It is distinct from leading or controlling the conversation. Facilitation relies on fairly well-understood principles in human psychology and sociology, and when done well, can transform dysfunctional conversations or situations into healthy and constructive ones. In this workshop, I will present the importance of good facilitation, and teach some basic facilitation techniques. The participants will get to practice the techniques in small groups.

Expected outcomes

Participants will gain practical skills in facilitating discussions, based on presented techniques as well as exercises in small groups.

Duration (without Q&A)

240 minutes (4 hours)

(It's a lot, yes, but that's what it would take to both teach and practice in groups meaningfully. It worked well in Berlin.)

Specific requirements

Ideally, seating in a U-shape or circle, rather than classroom arrangement, to facilitate frequent group discussion.

Slides or further information

Slides from a workshop (intended to last four hours) teaching an Introduction to Facilitation of group conversations