The World Café                                        print     home

"We learn, adapt, and bring forth our worlds through the networks of conversation in which we participate". - Humberto Maturana -

What if most work gets done through informal conversations? Where do you have the most meaningful and valuable conversations? Often it is in an informal and relaxed setting, with "your feet up", such as in a café with friends, or near the coffee machine with colleagues. The method of The World Café makes it possible for groups of all sizes to have conversations about issues that really matter, in a relatively short period of time. This can be during a global conference of professionals (see pictures below), representatives of companies from several countries, various groups in a community. The seven guiding principles of a World Café:

source: www.theworldcafe.com

In a Café-style ambiance, with an inviting atmosphere, where you feel welcome and comfortable, people have conversations in small table groups about a theme or question. A powerful question, that matters to everyone, is a fundamental condition for success, as is meeting "new" people, by changing tables in several rounds. A table-host connects the successive conversations. After several rounds of conversations the facilitator helps to share discoveries and insights in a whole group conversation. It is in this town-meeting style conversations that patterns can be identified, collective knowledge grows, and possibilities for action emerge. More about this method: see Tips.

An impression of the World Café during the Global Forum 2005 of the Society for Organisational Learning (SoL) in Vienna :
(click on photo to enlarge)

Juanita Brown	principles	programme	making appointments
start	report	talking over	with a large group

A summary of principles and usage (click to enlarge):