HIV
and Stigma: Challenges and Solutions -David Patient
HIV and Stigma: Challenges and Solutions
An Open Space Technology (OST) Conference is to be held
in Johannesburg South Africa, on the 22nd till the 25th
of February 2005. The venue is Montecasino (Fourways).
Empowerment Concepts, with its partner MonteCasino are pleased
to announce a conference with a difference. Using OST technology,
delegates will explore the challenges of HIV-related stigma,
with the primary focus being the sharing and exploration
of how to overcome stigma in service delivery. This is guaranteed
to be unlike any other conference within the topic.
The conference is restricted to 100 delegates only, including
20 conference scholarships (refer Conference Fees and Logistics).
We respectfully request that organisations considering sending
delegates send people with experience in service delivery,
so that their experiences can be used to further solution-seeking
processes. This conference is not an academic exercise:
Everyone actively participates. A description of basic OST
methods and principles follow this introduction.
Conference fees and
logistics:
Venue: Monte Casino is situated in Fourways
in the North of Johannesburg.
Conference fees: The cost per delegate
is R3500-00 plus VAT (total = R3,990.00) or $550 USD. Fees
include all workshop/conference supplies, all refreshments
during the conference, lunch every day and a copy of the
conference document, which based will probably be 100-150
printed pages. A maximum of 100 delegates will be allowed
to attend the conference, including the 20 scholarships.
Confirmation of attendance occurs upon receipt of payment.
Accommodation and transport: These costs
are for the delegates account or sponsoring agency/corporation.
The Palazzo Intercontinental Hotel is offering conference
delegate rates at R890-00 for bookings of 20 rooms or more
and is located within the Monte Casino Complex where the
conference will be held. Please use the following Conference
code if booking at the Palazzo :- 781.71
Scholarships: Twenty (20) scholarships
are available. Delegates securing conference scholarships
need to be aware that the scholarship covers conference
fees only. They will need to secure their own transport
and accommodation for the duration of the conference.
Booking: For those potential delegates
who need information on the OST process, the facilitators
and their work in this field, please contact David Patient
at: david@empow.co.za.
For those wishing to register or apply for a conference
scholarship, please contact Cherylynn O'Brien at cherylynn@telkomsa.net.
Basic Methods & Principles of OST
OST is based upon several principles that include the African
Market Place, Native American community meetings and brainstorming.
It is revolutionary in its approach as it encourages every
delegate to become actively involved in seeking answers
to the questions that stigma presents.
The key to the success of the process is that the people
who attend - the delegates - care about the subject matter,
thus ensuring participation. It is not assumed that anyone
has the answers to the
theme challenges: The point of the process is to evolve
solutions, based upon inputs of many different people, with
widely diverse experiences.
The first step of the process is to identify the issues.
Delegates simply state what they consider to be the challenges,
and these are listed. The only issues discussed are those
issues raised by the delegates. These are then organised
into streams, and times are allocated for workshopping each
issue. Whoever raised the issue chairs the session. Each
session is recorded in writing. Issues can be workshopped
once, or several times, depending upon the outcome of each
session.
Each issue work group is given 20 minutes to clarify the
issue. The remaining session time is focused upon finding
solutions. The role of the facilitators is to stimulate
discussion and raise questions to be considered, if required.
Key issues and outcomes are recorded, then typed and distributed
to all conference delegates.
During the day, as many as 10-15 groups operate simultaneously.
Unlike conventional conferences, delegates are encouraged
to sit in on as many discussions as they please, and to
get up and leave whenever they want to. This is called 'The
Bumble Bee' principle, which ensures that delegates only
participate where and when they feel they can receive and
add value to a discussion. It should be noted that this
process of cross-pollination requires encouragement initially
- as it is customary to remain seated even when you are
not adding or receiving valued input in a meeting - but
is highly effective in ensuring that every person's experience
and ideas are incorporated where it is most needed. It also
ensures that boredom is not an issue!
This also includes the so-called 'Coffee Station' principle,
where a great deal of discussion and networking occurs around
the refreshment stations, which are located in the conference
room itself. In other words, it is a highly fluid process,
where everyone is heard, and contributes to the outcomes.
The outcomes are therefore based in reality, and not theory.
To ensure that nobody misses out on any particular issue
or concerns, each delegate receives a full account from
every group by way of the conference document that is given
to each person when they leave on day four.
For more information, please contact: David Patient
Email: david@empow.co.za
