World Café is a way of hosting dialogue in a large group. There are 5 important features in it:

• the setting – is modelled on a coffee shop with small tables seating no more than 5 people;
• the welcome – it starts with a welcome from the host who explains both the aims and the process of the meeting and puts participants at their ease;
• table talk – there are rounds of 20 minutes conversation round the table at the end of which people move to a different table – this process is repeated several times during the meeting;
• questioning – each round of conversation is set a question relating to the subject that has been set as the subject of the meeting (all tables discuss the same question); and drawing together – after one or more rounds, one person on each table is asked to share the insights or results from the discussion.
• the shared picture – insights from each table are recorded – sometimes as a picture – at the front.   The shared picture should be reviewed throughout to see if it is actually relevant and helpful to understanding the subject under discussion.

Often the tables have paper table cloths so that participants can write and draw on them as they take part in the dialogue.  Sometimes there are ‘table hosts’ who do not move when everyone else does. They have a list of the questions to ask in each round and they may either be the person who does the feedback or may nominate someone to do so.  People can be reluctant to split up and to move to different tables, but it is important that they do so that the conversation stays fresh.  If you do use table hosts – choose wisely and brief them properly beforehand.

Drawing insights

For recording the feedback at the front, you ideally need a big roll of paper against the wall or a whiteboard – not a flipchart (it is too small).  The drawer-together of the feedback at the front needs to be someone who can think on their feet and understands the subject being discussed – they need to draw out connections between insights from different tables.  It’s best if the drawer-together isn’t the facilitator (the person responsible for encouraging contributions, moving the meeting on and keeping order etc).  The two need to be able to work as a team, however. Cartooning skills are useful, but less important than being able to follow and make sense of what is being said.  You can write the feedback instead of drawing it – but there is a risk you will end up with a confusing list instead of a shared picture of the subjects being discussed.

World Café works best in larger groups.  It can be a bit over-used, but has become a style many people are familiar with. Could you use it – or something similar – for neighbourhood meetings or local conventions?