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July 11, 2024DRC workshops transformed by open space approach
This year’s annual workshop of the Civil Peace Service in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (CPS-DRC) stood out for its practical application of the innovative Open Space (OS) approach. Participants used this method to explore the central theme: “Acting together for peacebuilding in the DRC”, following intensive training with Juliane Westphal, an expert in the OS method and a member of the CPS support team in Africa.
Thérèse Badibanga, an OS facilitator, explained that the approach begins with a preparatory meeting. “This meeting brings together a representative sample of stakeholders. Everyone shares their expectations and ideas. Together we choose a guiding title for the main session”. A mind map is created to visualise the wishes and expectations of the participants.
On the day of the session, participants gather in a circle surrounded by resources such as paper, markers and report forms. “This setup fosters an environment of collaboration and trust,” Thérèse noted. Topics were proposed, publicly announced and listed on a wall board, structuring the agenda in a flexible and dynamic way.
Jean Maloani, head of the Trauma Healing Programme at the non-profit organisation Innovation Network for Organisational Support (RIO ASBL), was impressed by the efficiency of OS in generating constructive ideas in a short time. “Participants feel free and safe to share and solve problems,” he explained. Jean plans to use this approach to help those he works with to release accumulated negative energy. Shortly after the workshop ended, “a follow-up meeting was organised at RIO where all the field staff were trained to use this method,” he said.
Charlotte Yaula Umba, a co-facilitator, described OS as an inclusive and user-friendly method. “The interaction between participants leads to the collective creation of an agenda,” she noted. Charlotte intends to incorporate this approach into her organisation’s training sessions, particularly on project planning and context analysis. “This method left a lasting impression on me and I will integrate it into our training programme,” she added.
The 2024 workshop, held in Lubumbashi from 3 to 6 June, enabled participants to apply the Open Space approach in a real-life context. Through this method, they mobilised their efforts to strengthen peacebuilding in the DRC. The testimonies of Thérèse, Jean and Charlotte highlighted the benefits of OS and its potential for application in different professional and community contexts.
By integrating OS into their daily practice, participants aim to foster a culture of collaboration and accountability. This workshop marks the beginning of a wider adoption of the Open Space approach in the DRC, with the hope of achieving meaningful changes in the way communities work together for peace and development.
