Participants and their reasons for coming

Alain Volz - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

Because I heard many positive things about this event, because it will support my work as synnervator, because I hope te learn new facilitating/hosting techniques and develop my hosting skills more in depth, because some of my friends and colleagues are going as well and I see an opportunity to bring in our business case, MDG5 and Macha, Zambia.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How do you host a complex meshwork in a public private partnership?
How do you host a meshwork from an international perspective with respect for local differences in cultures and values?
What are state of the art hosting techniques from a holistic perspective and how can I develop these more in depth?

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

How to implement this more into CHE-NL and the MDG5 project we are involved in?
How this program fits in a curriculum of a CHE certified synnervator?
How to implement the lessons learned during the course in our work as synnervators?

 

Andries De Vos - Brussels, Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I am passionate about hosting spaces or groups to let co-creation emerge. I believe one and one makes 3 (1+1 = 3), if we meet the pre-condition to find smarter ways of being together and understanding the true meaning of the linking word “and”.
Since I first heard about Art of Hosting, around 2006, I knew I owed it to myself to join it. I am glad I can make time for it now and experience it myself.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

I have not made an exhaustive list of questions, but from top of mind I seek to answer the following:
How to set up an environment or process that is more inclusive to the participants and their unique contribution?
How to be less judgmental when having conversations?
How to suspend my assumptions more successfully to listen more actively for meaning and structure?

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I would like to set up a series of (A.I) interviews and conversations about the future of our organisation and its positive core, during the period of March-April.

In my personal life, I am interested in integrating the practice of hosting meaningful conversations to enrich my relationships and contribution to the society. I would like explore more about exciting methodologies for individual and organisational transformation, with the long-term aim of setting up my own company around community development and change management.

This AoH seminar will no doubt initiate the first in many series of actions towards that goal.

 

Anne-Marie Voorhoeve, Vreeland-The Netherlands

 

Carl Neumann, Heidelberg - Germany

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I’ve been passionate about group dialogue and collective intelligence for quite a while now, and after recently speaking with Judy Wallace I’m very inspired to learn more about your skills in this area.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How to establish a group dialogue that incorporates and integrates all aspects of humanity. Most group processes I’m aware of largely address only one aspect (most often the intellect). At AoH I would like to explore ways to include other aspects, such as the heart and the body, and thereby to empower the development of the group and the individual towards more wholeness.

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I’m currently in a period of transition. After being a scientist for 15 years I have decided to end my career in science this summer. I’m exploring a number of different possibilities, and have not decided on a specific direction yet. One of the more concrete projects I’m involved in is aimed at starting a dialogue between scientists, theologians, and philosophers about the role of Beauty in science and religion, and its potential for bridging the two. But this is still a very academic project, and as I mentioned above I would like to move away from a purely intellectual dimension, to work also with the deeper levels of heart and soul, as well as the very practical dimension of physical embodiment of knowledge and wisdom.

 

David Reis, Charlottenlund - Denmark

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

With the increased speed of change taking place now, I am seeing the need for contexts where integrative change can be explored—creative responses to changing social and personal contexts. I see the need to help develop a deeper sense of stability and optimism based on experience. I also would like to become a part of the art of hosting community. I have heard good things about the workshop and the community itself. I have been exposed to many of the formats introduced in the training, however, I suspect that there is more to it than that. So I want to see what the rest is, to hone the skills I do have and add new tools as they emerge.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

None right now.

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I am providing a context of integrative change (we know that there are two types of change: disintegrative and integrative. The media tends to focus on the disintegrative aspect. There is a real need to focus on integrative change.) Part of this would be conversations, workshops, etc. My wife and I have a business called “LivingConsciously” through which we see clients and do workshops. We want to continue to develop our service through this vehicle and to collaborate with others doing similar things.

 

Dennis Kerkhoven, Haaften - The Netherlands

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I really like to learn more about AoH

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter

How to host a grounded playground between chaos and order?

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Strategic conversations in healthware, governance, MDG5 Meshworks, Banking sector.

 

Dieter Comos, Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I'm part of the Hub Brussels hosting team and I want to learn how to be a good host in a professional environment.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

I don't have much experience so far in hosting and moderating conversations but I'm eager to learn this skill.

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

My next project will be with the Hub hosting team.

 

Dirk Stockmans, Niederanven - Luxembourg

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I have organised some events together with Helen, Toke and Monica, and I would like to learn to do this myself in my working environment (and perhaps beyond).

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

What is important to keep in mind, and in what ways do I have to grow to do this?

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Improving cooperation within the European Commission and between the European Institutions.

 

Els Still, Perwez - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I am looking for new and exciting ways and technics to get my way through life! How to hande groups and myself of course!

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

Waow, what's the principle? How can I use it in my life and activities? I would love to find new way of having group work meeting.

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Media! And what effect it has on us and why, my space in the world, how could I make a difference??.... what do I like and where am I going, and why?

 

Erik Mathijs, Heverlee - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

To sharpen the bow and to take part and contribute to an emerging community of practitioners.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How can we dance the chaordic path, as individuals both also as a community?

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Conversations aimed at co-creating the "grand narrative" that our times need to make the transition to a sustainable society and ways to spread that narrative.

 

Eugene Boeldak, De Meern - The Netherlands

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

In March 2007 I hosted two Conversation Café’s which rekindled the old fire in me to assist others in collaborative thinking and working. Since then I have hosted (facilitated) four sessions (2 World Café, 1 debate, 1 group dialogue). I plan to become a certified facilitator later this year. As a member of the online community of The World café and Art of Hosting I’ve learned (through experiences of others) to see the many diverse uses of the art of hosting and of stimulating constructive dialogues in the present world. I would like to be trained in hosting, so that I can craft better questions and host better conversations, pass on my enthusiasm about the AoH to others through the power of example instead of the power of the word. At present I work as a management consultant in (project) risk and change management. From mid 2007 onwards I started using hosting more in my consulting work.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

1. How to develop questions that touch the hearts and minds?
2. How to use the AoH to bring organizational change about?
3. How to use the AoH to help people really be happy in their working environment?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Conversation on the role of human beings in risk management in a time in which the focus is on technical control (software tools).

 

Filip Monbaliu, Brussels - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

Because I heard speaking about it by Simone, and I sensed that this could be helpful in my job as a (team)coach.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

I have no concrete questions at the moment. I only have a vague image about what I think it is. I think it has to do with the capacity of absorbing tensions and creating energy by presencing in groups and teams.

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I would like to launch a cooperative for allochtone people in the sector of basic medical care. Secondly I will be engaged in difficult strategic and crisis management discussions of a farmers-consumers cooperative.

 

Gabrielle Hubler, Brussels - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I read the invitation that I received through the Hub newsletter, then moved on to reading about the art of hosting on your website: I am really interested about learning more about this theme. It is a really new and fresh perspective for me and I find great excitement (and relief) in knowing it is possible to approach the topic of group interaction and facilitation from a brand new angle, linking the macro and the individual level. I am also really interested in meeting other individuals who do facilitation work and have the ambition to grow and improve their approach and to place “meaning” at the center of their professional and personal development.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

Am very curious about practice and implementation of this approach.
Am very intrigued with the “artistic edge” of the hosting techniques.

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I hope to be part of the hosting team of the Hub Brussels.
I am also going through a quite drastic career shift starting free-lance activities as a writer/ editor…I read your essentials: I definitely need to grow my relationship with chaos (and order as a a matter of fact). Beautiful vision you got there;

Graham Boyd, St.Jans-Molenbeek, Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I have some experience facilitating creative sessions in P&G. Now that I’m branching out on my own I’d like to learn more about creating spaces to enable teams and individuals to be more creative and effective.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How to bring this to life on a day to day basis. Learn how it can complement what I already know about leading, enabling and facilitating in both creative R&D work and large scale project delivery.

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I will be hosting conversations about renewable energy, communities of practice, and energy development in Africa.

 

Hajo Dönges, Germany

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

My colleague Kevin Groen, who attend one of your seminars, created my excitement about this methodology. He uses it during some conferences we organized during the last year and so I could see the effects by myself.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

Am I able to ask the right questions?

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

We are going to have an important conference happening in April. I'm planning to use this methodology to host a session to initiate conversations about the future development of our organization.

 

Judith Heezen, Eliksem - Belgium

 

Katrin Dürkoop, Brussels - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

Being part of the Pro Action Café hosting team here in Brussels I would like to learn more about how to host an event and bring out the best in people. I would like to improve my hosting skills by learning about different tools available and how to use them in order to lead a group and produce intelligent conversations and solutions.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How to ask good questions, how to get to that core, essence of things, how to bring out the best in people, how to achieve group coherence? How to combine the skills of 'public speaking', 'being myself' , 'being a good leader' and at the same time achieving 'learning' 'solutions', 'wiser intelligence'?

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Our next Pro Action Café event is planned for 20.02.2008 and there will be many more …

 

Koen Bogers, Antwerpen - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

Curiosity, and the awareness that there is a growing need that the bigger picture to be presented within the company and to keep a clear view on things

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How to get messages across a diverse group of people. Install decisions and make them part of your every day life

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I would like to introduce this concept into our company world wide

 

Lenneke Aalbers, Nijmegen - The Netherlands

 

Lisa Berg, USA - Brussels, Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I have heard about AoH for a year now. I believe it is an important process and community for me to be part of in order to further my own work in the world.
I want to learn more and contribute what I can at the same time.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How do I find balance between leading and allowing?
How can I become more comfortable with the silence?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I will be hosting large and small gatherings intended to bring leaders in the consciousness and peace – building arenas together. My purpose is to host gatherings and create networks where a stronger synergistic field can be built amongst these professionals.

We can share resources, build relationships and co-create when we get to know each other. I bring people together across disciplines, countries, cultures and projects. There is much richness in transpersonal psychology, sacred activism, indigenous cultures, consciousness and related fields. What would happen if we gather these folks together? How might we collectively contribute positively to the world?

Lieven Calewaert, Eliksem - Belgium

 

Lisette Schuitemaker, Amsterdam - The Netherlands

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I feel this is the next step in my development as a spaceholder, to be able to host meetings in a way that the deepest possible contact is made and the highest potential of the gathering is fulfilled for the good of the whole.

 

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

I see that I stop too early – I am practicing and learning to go on, when I think I have said enough, to be more explicit. I am practicing and learning to ask others to go on from what they have said and dig deeper. Also, I’d like to learn more about not to be too polite when asking questions – I guess, that’s my main thing, the politeness (or in Dutch, beleefd zijn waardoor het onbeleefde niet beleefd wordt ….)

 

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Salons (evenings of nurturing the field and information exchange) and retreats (re-connecting in the larger circle with the purpose that informs our next steps) for the Center of Human Emergence. Also I think I can bring this in in my role as Trustee for the Findhorn Foundation where also I sometimes sit silent while I have things to say …

 

Louise Koch, Denmark

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?
Because I for quite a time have known about the art of hosting and now I feel ready to really step in. I joined Pioneers of Change for real in the autumn and participated in the Global Journey in Brazil, which was a very great experience.

I work with user centered innovation and participatory processes and I am looking forward to feeling more confident in my role as a host and being truly familiar with the methods of World Café, OST, AI etc.

I am also very much looking forward to becoming part of the community of hosts.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?
How can I host conversations that let the participants think, talk and act from their deepest place of wisdom, inspiration and holistic thinking?


What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?
The next important conversation for me will be a start up workshop for the participants in a new project about developing methods for user-centered innovation in the public sector. I will be part of the project team myself (and therefore this might not be a good example?)

Then it will be a start up workshop in the same project but with the participants from the public sector - e.g. people from the municipal administration, parents of children in day care institutions, and the children themselves.

Other important workshops/conversations coming up will be start up of an innovation project on tools and methods for laparoscopic operations. This conversation will involve people from the company producing the tools (the sponsors of the project), doctors from different hospitals, experts in the field. During this project I will be hosting interview and development workshops with lead users in the field in order to share knowledge, identify problems and opportunities, and develop new solutions.

 

Maja Rottbøll, Aarhus - Denmark

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I’m about to graduate from the Kaospilots (a creative and in many ways spiritual business school). I’m now investigating how my work can be in service of Life, and work on manifesting it in the form of a consultant company working with meaningful conversations in organizations.
And basically: It just felt like the right time to engage with you guys – with no rational explanation

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

• How can I support that people can meet on a basic human level – and really see each other and the potential we have when we’re together? And what do I have to learn and unlearn (inside and outside myself) in order to be in service of this?

My learning journey in 2008: to deeply feel (experience) that the earth supports me
• Step out of the comfort zone (in regards to work life)
• Challenging inner limitations (in regards to the role as owner of a company and the role as a facilitator)

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Bringing love into the health care system. april-june ‘08
A project for the municipality in Aarhus, supporting them in bringing love and compassion into the healthcare system again through meaningful dialogues and training of their employees to keep them going afterwards.

Life Work Community
An Inquiry of how a Life Work Community of Soulmates could look like. Right now I’m engaging with people around this question in a series of small café conversations

Strong Bright Librarians
Creating a course for the fiery souls of the Main Library in Århus, with the purpose of giving them the opportunity to create meaningful conversations for themselves and the users about the future of the library.

Maria Bloemen, Geel - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

On recommendation and request by a colleague: to provide assistance. In addition, the subject of the training sounds interesting and seems to be very useful and helpful in our working environment.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

) Is my own practice following the principles of "H conversations that matter®"?
2) How can I improve my own practice?
3) How can I then help my colleague?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Team meetings, work group meetings.
Further, I believe that conversations always matter, or should matter.
These learning domains are interesting in all aspects of life.

Marian de Rijk, Bakel - The Netherlands

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I am curious to find out whether my work in a circle of singers with group-communication adds something to the process of starting meaningful conversations. As I see it the exercises I developed from the euritmy, provides a fertile ground in which can be planted. Apart from that it is a non verbal communication in which the space between the participants and themselves and the participant and the whole becomes visible. The group as a whole and all the participants together which are responsible for the result of the exercise. I wonder if this has something to do with the meaningful conversation and want to develop my ideas to a next level to work not only with singers but with all kind of groups.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How can I provide an activity which not only will be fun to do which operates on a level below the surface of everyday-life where people experience there relationship to their inner self, the people surrounding them and the purpose they are here for. So they will open their senses to all this and are ready to have a real communication to themselves related to the whole they are in. It should not only be an activity but it should feed their soul, they have to take it into everyday life with them.
How can I develop something where people learn to hold back their judgement but learn to keep an open mind. They even have to hold back on their experience and try to go for the experiment. After that their experience can flow into the experiment.
Where does something like that fit and works for the people who join in?
How can I make my ideas about organizing a project with attention for four fields (fysics and form, to bring life in the form, the people in the form and the vision in the form) make workable. Does something like that exists already?
Are there any people who want to join me or can I join them?
How can I combine the Taketina exercises with the exercises I already have?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I would love to give a training based on the things I spoke of as the nonverbal part of a process where teams want to develop the skill, like in making chamber music, to tuning their antenna on what is really going on so they become aware of what is really going on as they work together in a team every day and what really is needed to work together on the same project so that they can experience their place in the whole and their contribution, in their own way to the final result. First I have to describe what I have done in the last three singing-projects which were fantastic and moved people as well as the singers and have to make a connection between my vision and the thing I did in organizing the project

 

Marie Claire, Frankfurt - Germany

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

Having read the World Café book, I was fascinated by the topic and the whole process and wanted to explore this further.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

To be honest, I don't currently have anything specific in mind, I have ideas and no doubt before the training I may have a clearer picture of my direction.

 

Marjam Vaher, Tallinn - Estonia

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

Learning how to create space for meaningful conversations is strongly connected with my goal in life which is to serve others, I’m passionate about learning all methods helping me to do that better, Art of Hosting is one of the most interesting ones for me.

I believe I’m still a beginner in both helping others to communicate with each other (in teams, groups, organizations) and doing it at all occasions myself. Therefore I come to learn – how to help others and how to be able to open and adapt myself for different kind of people and situations

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How to let go of the need of control (the flow where the conversation goes, the responsibility of the outcome etc)?

Why do the meaningful conversations just don’t happen with some people? How can I help them?

Is there a right and a wrong time to practice conversations that matter? Does the situation determine sometimes that there is just no room for that or there is always a way? What kind of methods can I use to reach people even if the “situation is not right”?

How to open up myself without feeling I’m talking too much? Finding the power in myself of inspiring others.

Probably not so directly connected with the initial question, but some things I have in mind directly connected with the weekend: How to prepare myself mentally to get the best out of the weekend? Is there any difference connected with your past experience, background, age etc how much you get out of it?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

With previous MCP of AIESEC Estonia, now working for HIV/AIDS prevention organization – sharing my lessons and planning how to host conversations about HIV/AIDS for Estonian youngsters and companies

With AIESEC Estonia members –what is their personal connection with AIESEC, why this what they are doing is important for them and society

My personal life – my family, son and friends

 

Marjeta Novak, Ljubljana - Slovenia

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I was given the book 'Presence' for Christmas... which further fuelled my interest for group dynamics & enabling spaces for transformation to occur.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

On exploratory level: Which elements create moments of magic in a group?

Ons skills level: How can I improve my (visual) harvesting skills?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I am exploring options to create a local (Slovenian) group/network of people (professionals in their 30's and 40's - but also others) who are committed to social change projects - for collaboration and support.

 

Martine Vanremoortele, Antwerpen - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I want to learn more about Art of Hosting.

Meeting takes place in Belgium - no travel costs

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How to use AoH in business environment?

How to use AoH in my communities?

How can I get more experience?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

At this moment I don't know yet, the topic I'm most interested in is CREATION, so all questions will be around "how to be more creative, how can we create together, what blocks people from creating... etc

 

Matthieu Kleinschmager, Brussels - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I was convinced of the effectiveness of the art of hosting techniques by several events hosted by Helen Titchen Beeth and Toke Möller and Monica Nissen.
I am getting increasingly involved in facilitating different kinds of events at the European Commission and I would certainly benefit a lot from developing my skills further in this area. This is a key development area of our 2008 Learning & Development policy at the European Commission (including development of internal trainers, support to communities of practice, setting-up of an art of hosting training course).

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How to use art of hosting techniques in my working environment to better prepare meetings which are more involving for participants, more interactive and leading to better decisions?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I will get closely involved in the strategic Learning & Development areas mentioned hereunder: development of internal trainers, support to communities of practice, setting-up of an art of hosting training course.

 

Michel Vandermeulen, Brussels - Belgium

Minke Stadler, Haaften - The Netherlands

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I really like to learn more about AoH

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How to host a grounded playground between chaos and order?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Strategic conversations in healthcare, governance, MDG5 Meshworks, Banking sector.

 

Mushin Schillling, Berlin - Germany

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

Because my dear friend Helen has been nagging me ;-)
But seriously, I have been experimenting with omnidirectional facilitation for quite some time and to be together with people who have a lot of practice in this method will be enlightening, I hope.
Also I’d like to get to know and contact on a deep level the people who feel called to participate in this seminar.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How to facilitate maximum and optimum connections between people to find ways of aligning their efforts to make this world a better place.

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Working, collaborating with quite a few people on many levels at this moment – MDG5, Gaiaspace, collaboration between different tribes of “Integralism” in Berlin, and probably some more by the time we meet at Heerlijkheid…

 

Nancy Bragard, Paris - France

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

As an independent consultant, trainer and coach; I intervene in multinational corporations, addressing the soft skills in a hard environment. I encourage managers and decision makers to step out of the fast lane, the time they’re with me, to address processes, to look at the “how” rather than the “what” in order to improve interaction, motivation, interpersonal skills. It is essential that audiences own this process, I cannot “do” this for them. I sense that the Art of Hosting technology will hand this process over to the audience. In holding the space for them to do their own work, I will be even less of an “actor” in their process.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How can I bring this process into the “hard” environment that I operate in as a value-added piece? My sense is that this is going to appear too “soft”, “touchy-feely”, “Californian”. I believe in it, and I want to be able to trust my ability to convey to them its potential value.

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

My main client is in the throws of huge global issues with the unrolling of global business programs, the stakes are huge, the time frame is very tight. If they forge forward without addressing this in an alternative manner, they’re going to lose good people. I have a very privileged relationship with this client; they trust me. And I sense that if I come to them with a new approach, a technology that gives them the process, they can optimize their potential. But I need to “sell” something “concrete” to them. If I tell them I will hold the space so that they can be present with one another and sense their process, they will show me the door!

 

Nancy Caldwell, Paris - France

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I have been working with different forms of “dialogue” in varied settings, i.e. teaching conflict resolution, researching the role of listening in Truth Commissions, etc. and would like to learn more about this valuable tool.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

I have often witnessed that the depth and meaningfulness of different dialogue processes are poorly reflected in the actual harvesting phase and the “results” look like a pale reflection of the vivid work that was done.

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I would like to continue working with questions of prejudice and racism within a community.

 

Nicole Baussart, Ispra - Italy

 

Nina Bockelmann, Germany

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I heard and saw a lot of the Art of Hosting in the last 2 years and was fascinated by the caring and loving approach and the attentiveness and consciousness in the way of hosting conversatioins and topics. I design and facilitate processes of personal develpment and learning since 2001, mainly working in AIESEC and with a network of facilitators now. I believe in the power of co-creating, creativity, true connections and conversations and want to learn about the Art of Hosting to integrate the work into Conflict Transformation work. I want to be involved in fostering a German network of the Art of Hosting and am part of the calling team for the first AoH in Germany in July 2008.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

-How to create and hold space in which people can truly meet and reconnect to themselves and face and work with their fears, be honest?

-How can I use the methods and the approach in transforming conflicts?

- Can I combine the U-process, the TRANSCEND method and the AoH to integrate large group interventions into peace building work?

- How can I host myself to be able to give all that is needed to hold space?

- How can I support the process with arts, working with creativity?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

-TRANSCEND Summer School 2008 on Conflict Transformation in Germany

- Integrate Art of Hosting in Peace Building Projects (1 month learning journey this summer)

- Use the AoH for seminars on reconnecting to nature and oneself

- IMAGINE Conference 2009

- Host conversations with the Pioneers of Change in Munich

 

Nina Thompson-Williams, Brussels - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

AoH training and awareness – becoming part of that community – is something I've been interested in for some time and this feels like an opportunity not to be missed!

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

• What is it that encourages (or rules out) deeper conversations?
• What conditions (other than developmental level) encourage people to challenge their own assumptions?
• What characteristics of inspirational meetings/situations/conversations can simply be "put in place"?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I'll carry on with the old project of self-development but should be better equipped :-)

 

Nora Ganescu, Brussels - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I work with hosting techniques for several years (especially open space technology, and lately World Café). I plan for several years to come, as I want to become better, to give myself a time and space to reflect on the deeper questions and potential of Hosting, and become member of the Art of Hosting Community

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

• How to hold the presence?
• Inviting into the space…
• Knowing the Community

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I am using these methodologies on an ongoing basis in Community Intelligence and in Pro Action.

 

Pamela van den Berg, Deventer - The Netherlands

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

The invitation was brought to my attention by a dear friend, she was very enthusiastic. I experienced some of the methods (open space, word café) in other trainings and experienced that working in a group in this ways generates energy and creativity. It proved to me that groups can organize themselves and, by doing this, people feel responsible for the process and start to work with passion.

This is the way I want to work, to co-create. That’s why I want to learn more about it and experience more of it. That’s why I accepted the invitation.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

In what situation you can use what kind of method? (The very practical question)

I would love to get to know other people who work this way and who can inspire me to continue my own way. (not really a question…)

I am always looking for/trying to find the way I want to go in life. Is the art of hosting something that can help me go my way and will it help me to bring what I can bring? (The more philosophical question…)

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I am a landscape architect and work for a social housing organization. More and more we want to co-create the environment together with the people who live there. The traditional way of participation (“let me tell you what you need”) is not the way I want to work. I’m trying to set up participation in other/new ways. I want to use the art of hosting methods to professionalize this.

In my opinion participation demands a new way of ‘co-creating’ with the people who live in our houses but also a new way of ‘co-creating’ with our professional partners (both building and social sector).

 

Pierre Goirand, Paris - France

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

To meet the art of Hosting community
To meet my friend Ria and her colleagues
To get renewed inspiration and strength

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How can we help groups (and individuals in groups) to look at their own shadow?
Knowing that
1: the shadow is the part that one does not want to look at
2; that so many groups , including non profit organisation as well as loose "generous" initiatives are plagued with issues, that often relate to the opposite of what they openly and passionaltely advocate, or with classics like power, money...

 

How to create a processes and questions that create a sense of possibilities in situations /cultures where there is apparently none and that are dominated by fatalism, manipulation or cynicism.
How can I find occasions to apply my art to issues and situations that are really meaningful and create a difference?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Bilbao world Café Gathering
Next year in France ???
Body in conversation at Sol conference in Oman

 

Rik Verschueren, Ramsel - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

The AoH-community is very inspiring for me. So first of all meeting the people. Second taste the buzz. Third, see whats happening and whats related to my hosting work.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

What do I have to bring and what to leave at home to meet the other, with my own values in his on values; on his domain?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Starting up outdoor-courses father-son on short and long term.

Hosting the Hub community.

 

Rainer von Leoprechting, Brussels - Belgium

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

To connect various networks and commmunities together (e.g. Pro action Europe and Art of Hosting)

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How to get this funded by people that are too small in their mental size to really understand the value of this practice?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

What could be a blueprint for hosting conversations about the Future of Europe?

 

Roos Moll, Amsterdam - The Netherlands

Sandra Gevaert, Harmelen - The Netherlands

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

To keep the art of hosting in my work alive and catch up with other AoH practitioners.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Host a meeting about the ‘Queen in everywoman’, with women that already acknowledge the ‘Queen in themselves’. We invite them to talk about what they need to truly be and live the Queen they are and what we can do to help other women to become aware of the Queen in themselves and how they can become and live their Queen. (together with Lenneke Aalbers).

Host a number of workshops with police departments about the new vision of the department: to become aware of what is needed, to invite them to share their thoughts and ideas for improvement and what their ideal working situation would be, to find out what they need to become or remain passionate about being a police officer, how they can contribute themselves and how they can work as a team and with partners.

 

Tom Boves, Maastricht - The Netherlands

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I am curious as to the program and how it will enrich my life and my business. It all looks very special and authentic.

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How to host meetins that produce healing conversations?

How to deepen the impact I have on others in meetings that I host?

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I will be hosting workshops for teachers by April 19 and April 24 in which we will demonstrate the material wroked out for teaching teachers interpersonal communication skills.

 

Vibeke Batting, Boerkop - Denmark

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

I have accepted this invitation because I am urged to do so! I have worked with this kind of processes for many years without knowing what I was doing – more going for the result, because I knew it was working…! I have now said goodbye to my old job and hello to being a free agent aiming at inspiring companies to make use of these processes (and acknowledge the intention behind) – too much control is “out there” and we’ve lost the creativity in our organizations…

I met Toke and Monica in a conference late 2007 (Spiritual Business network) and I just knew that we have a common path... And here we are

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

I have adapted many of the processes and ideas step-by-step and I hope to gain an all-in-one insight, sort of embracing “it all”.

I have myself a balanced focus on process and result. I facilitated my first Open Space process with 20 participants and realised identification of topics, group discussions, inputs from the others, final actions plans, presentations and hand-out of documentation of results – in 3 hours... I believe a balanced view is important in order to apply these processes in business and this focus might give me burning questions at the training…

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

Presently I have only a few activities planned. However, what is of most importance to me is to try to apply these processes at any occasion possible…

 

Virginie van de Loe, Warmond - The Netherlands

Why have you decided to accept this invitation?

My friend Lisette mentioned "the art of hosting" to me and I could feel a lot of excitement. Looking at the site I was worried that it was mostly for prfessionals, but speaking to you on the phone this afternoon, I could feel the excitement coming back. I trust this feeling!

What are your most burning questions about your own practice of Hosting conversations that matter?

How to trust more that what wants to be said by me.

What are the next strategic or important conversations you are planning to host after this training? Or, what's the new project you intend to initiate?

I feel that I will do something in this field, but have not a clear picture et. I would love to create and hold a space, with silence or words, where something new can emerge.