Category Archives: news

Facilitating a culture of participation in international organisations with IAF Belgium in Brussels

How can international organisations foster a true culture of participation? What can we learn from past experiences to shape the future?

Join me for this facilitated session with IAF Belgium on Monday 31 March in Brussels, where we will explore these questions using the Historical Scan method of ICA’s Technology of Participation (ToP).

In this interactive session, I will guide you through a participatory approach to reviewing the past and preparing for the future. Together, we will reflect on our diverse experiences and perspectives on participation in international organisations.

I will also share:
✔ insights into the theory behind the method
✔ real-world examples of the method in action
✔ ways you can apply the method in your own practice

The event is free, but spaces are limited, so register now to secure your spot on Meetup.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join me also for the following ToP facilitation training in Brussels, the following days:

  1. Group Facilitation Methods, April 1-2: introducing the foundations of the ToP approach, two powerful techniques for structuring effective conversations and building group consensus
  2. Action Planning, April 3: participatory planning for short-term projects and events

Register now in Eventbrite for these and other upcoming public courses in London, Brussels & elsewhere.

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

ToP masterclass: Facilitating dialogue, learning, consensus & change at #Facilitate2025

I am excited to be offering pre-conference training again this year in conjunction with the UK’s premier facilitation learning event, the IAF England & Wales annual Annual Conference Facilitate2025, held Friday 25 and Saturday 26 April in Birmingham.

Facilitate2025 is an opportunity for facilitators to come together to share, learn and develop understanding, skills and practice. Everyone interested in facilitation is welcome, whether you are brand new to this work or have been doing it for years, whether you work in-house or externally and whether you facilitate some or all of the time.  As part of the 2025 programme there will be a thread on anti-racism and what this means for us as facilitators.

There will be a number of facilitation training courses being offered in the same training venue the day before the conference, at an additional cost. You can check them out and find the booking links here.

My own pre-conference training is the ToP masterclass: Facilitating dialogue, learning, consensus & change – introducing ICA’s Technology of Participation (ToP), transformational tools for dialogue, learning, consensus & change – Thursday 24 April.

This one-day master-class is suitable for all those who want to be able to involve people more effectively in dialogue, learning, consensus & change, including team leaders and managers within organisations, those working with Boards, management teams, partnerships and external stakeholders, youth and community workers and independent facilitators. The course has no pre-requisite.

This course will introduce two foundational methods of ICA’s ‘Technology of Participation’ (ToP) methodology, and two that adapt and apply these foundations to strategic review, planning and change:

  • ToP Focused Conversation provides a structured, four-level process for effective communication which ensures that everyone in a group has the opportunity to participate
  • ToP Consensus Workshop is a five stage process that enables a facilitator to draw out and weave together everybody’s wisdom into a clear and practical consensus
  • ToP Historical Scan (or ‘Wall of Wonder) is a powerful tool to enable a group to share and learn from their varied perspectives of a journey through history, and in context, to review the past in order to prepare for the future
  • ToP Participatory Strategic Planning is a structured long-range planning process which incorporates ToP Consensus Workshop for building consensus, ToP Focused Conversation for effective group communication, and an implementation process for turning ideas into productive action and concrete accomplishments.

Register now for public courses in Eventbrite

Register now in Eventbrite for this and other upcoming public courses in London, Brussels & elsewhere – scroll down for dates & locations.

Discounts: IAF members enjoy a special 10% discount – see Exclusive Offers for IAF Members.  Conference attendees enjoy a 25% discount (IAF members and non-members).

For additional courses offered by fellow ICA:UK Associates, see the full ICA:UK public course schedule.

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

New: 2025 ICA:UK ToP facilitation training in London, Manchester, Birmingham & Brussels

Kickstart the New Year with a commitment to your personal and professional development – enjoy a 10% discount on any course by registering with the promo code EarlyBird before Monday 13 January.

I am excited to announce the ICA:UK 2025 schedule of public ToP facilitation training courses in London, Manchester, Birmingham & Brussels, including:

Register now for public courses in Eventbrite

Register now in Eventbrite for my own upcoming public courses in London, Brussels & elsewhere – scroll down for dates & locations.

For additional courses offered by fellow ICA:UK Associates, see the full ICA:UK public course schedule.

Enjoy a 10% discount on any course by registering with the promo code EarlyBird before Monday 13 January.

“If you have ever wondered what questions to ask, or in what order to ask them, to lead a conversation that is focused, intentional, inclusive, and productive, let this book be your guide.” – Martin Gilbraith

Are you interested to learn more about ICA’s Technology of Participation (ToP) in a free, one-hour, interactive online session that offers an experience of virtual facilitation as well? Join us to connect, share & learn on Monday, 16 December 2024, 15:00-16:00 UK time, for this Free facilitation webinar: the Art of Focused Conversation with Jo Nelson.

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

Free facilitation webinar: the Art of Focused Conversation with Jo Nelson

Scroll down for the session recording and slides – with thanks to the 40 or so who attended!

Monday, 16 December 2024, 15:00-16:00 UK time

“If you have ever wondered what questions to ask, or in what order to ask them, to lead a conversation that is focused, intentional, inclusive, and productive, let this book be your guide.” – Martin Gilbraith

Have you ever wondered how to have a conversation that is focused, intentional, inclusive, and productive?

Join us to connect, share & learn on Monday, 16 December 2024, 15:00-16:00 UK time, for this special session following the format of the ICA:UK Online Focused Conversation Series.

We shall be joined by Jo Nelson, General Editor of the new, second edition of The Art of Focused Conversation: More Than 100 Ways to Access Group Wisdom in Your Organization. This bestselling, essential guide to designing and leading useful and effective group conversations, first published in 2000 and reprinted 20 times since then, is now completely revised and updated.

Jo is a ICA Certified ToP Facilitator, a founding member of the International Association of Facilitators (IAF), and an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator Emeritus.

An experiential introduction to the method will enable you to connect, share and learn with each other from your own experience of conversations that you have found challenging. Jo will then share some insights from the book, and both of us from our own experience, and there will be time for questions and discussion.

The session will serve as an introduction to the method for those new to ICA’s Technology of Participation (ToP), and an opportunity to deepen their understanding for those who have already read the first edition of the book or attended our popular Group Facilitation Methods course. See also my own blog post Four steps to a universal principle of facilitation and learning.

The session will be recorded, with the recording being publicly available after the session is over. If you do not wish to be identifiable, we will give you the option before we start the recording to turn off your camera and change your screen name.

Join us to connect, share & learn!

For recordings and other outputs of previous online Focused Conversation sessions and other free facilitation webinars, see free facilitation webinars.

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

The Art of Focused Conversation, Second Edition: More Than 100 Ways to Access Group Wisdom in Your Organization

“Questions are the primary tool of the facilitator. If you have ever wondered what questions to ask, or in what order to ask them, to lead a conversation that is focused, intentional, inclusive, and productive, let this book be your guide.

I was once asked if there is such a thing as a universal principle of facilitation — mine is ORID, the powerful, foundational model of this ToP Focused Conversation method.” – Martin Gilbraith

by R. Brian Stanfield and Jo Nelson

The essential, bestselling guide to designing and leading useful and effective group conversations is now completely revised and updated.

The Art of Focused Conversation is the quintessential theoretical and practical guide to group communication and participatory decision-making. Incorporating over 60 years of meticulous research and collaborative development, this perennial, international bestseller is an indispensable addition to any facilitator’s toolkit.

The Focused Conversation Method at the heart of The Art of Focused Conversation is a core component of the Technology of Participation (ToP) methodology developed by the Institute of Cultural Affairs. The original book is widely regarded as a key resource for designing and leading useful and effective conversations and fostering consensus and collaboration. This fully updated and revised edition includes:

  • Preparation and guidelines for discussing challenging topics and facilitating a focused conversation
  • A comprehensive overview of the ORID framework, made up of Objective, Reflective, Interpretive, and Decisional questions which guide a group to wise decisions
  • In-depth analysis of how the underlying structure of ToP is based on applied phenomenology and is supported by the latest findings in neuroscience and social psychology
  • New sections on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work-life balance; conflict resolution; and guiding focused conversations online
  • 125 sample conversations that can be adapted to any situation.

Invigorate and elevate your group process with this invaluable resource—required reading for facilitators, leaders, educators, and anyone who wants to think clearly and guide thoughtful conversations.

Brian Stanfield was an educator, researcher, and Director of Publications at the Canadian Institute of Cultural Affairs. Editor of the first edition of The Art of Focused Conversation and The Workshop Book and author of The Courage to Lead, Brian made a lasting contribution to the use of participatory practices in facilitation. He died in 2006.

Jo Nelson worked with the Institute of Cultural Affairs for 50 years, leading participatory development projects and designing and teaching ToP facilitator training programs. She was a contributor to the first edition of The Art of Focused Conversation and is author of The Art of Focused Conversation for Schools and Getting to the Bottom of ToP.

Pre-ordering is available at a discount until September 10 – order from New Society Publishers or Amazon.

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.