One of the participants of the World Cafe Signature Learning Program 2022, Dorothee Nys, shared this story with us. Dorothee is currently in her last year as a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, on her way to becoming a music teacher. 

I hosted my first ever World Café for the community choir I lead in Glasgow, Scotland. On January 19, 45 singers came together. The central theme of the conversations was inclusion: how and when members feel welcomed and appreciated, which elements and strategies of the rehearsals they prefer most, and any visions/dreams/wild ideas for the future. A truly vibrant evening with joyous and genuine conversations, colorful doodles on the tablecloths, and precious insights on post-its. And, of course, there was music: our usual warm-up before we started and a song at the end of each conversation round.

The responses have given me insight into strengthening and deepening our inclusive practice and resurfaced the importance of the community aspect, for example, through collaborations with other local organizations and events. The singers were excited – the vast majority not knowing World Café – and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share their voices in a different way whilst also building more connections within the group.

Flow

Questions

In conversation

Tablecloth #1

Tablecloth #2

Harvest questions

Harvest Wall