This method is designed to start, in a relaxed setting reminiscent of a coffee-house, a creative process spread over several sessions that promotes an exchange of knowledge and ideas among those taking part, and thus leads to new insights.

Suitable

 

• for pooling the participants´ knowledge and perspectives and for exchanging ideas
• for developing new ideas and identifying options

Sequence of events

Usually the method involves three consecutive rounds lasting 20 to 30 minutes each, in which four to six persons sitting round a table in a relaxed atmosphere discuss a particular issue in terms of predetermined questions. Discussions in such small groups are efficient, and the results are documented. After round 1 the participants move on to other tables, except for a host / hostess, who stays at his or her table and summarizes the key ideas from the previous round for the benefit of the new arrivals, while those who have left the table also spread these ideas. All those taking part thus exchange ideas in an extremely dynamic way; every single person can contribute knowledge and experience, suggestions crop up and creative new ideas appear – all in a very short time.

After several rounds the most important results are gathered at each table and presented to the entire group; finally the results are talked over in a plenary session.

Participants

Ordinary citizens, politicians, administrators and managers, specialists or representatives of interest groups.

Points to note

 

• A World Café works well only with groups of sufficient size; at least 15 persons must participate. 
• The method is exploratory and not suitable in cases where one particular solution has already come to the fore beforehand. It is also unsuitable for detailed planning with a view to implementation.