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Open Space Technology World Gathering

October 31 – November 2 in Istanbul – Turkey

Open Space on Open Space (OSonOS) Conferences are gatherings of Open Space Technology practitioners, their clients, curious people, business people, scientists, community activists, and others, all with some interest or experience in Open Space from different places around the world. These events date back to the early 1990’s when they were initiated and hosted by OST originator Harrison Owen, outside Washington DC. In the mid-90’s the annual OSonOS began to move around… Toronto, Monterrey, Chicago. In 2000 it went intercontinental… Germany, Canada (western), Australia, Sweden, India, Canada (eastern), Moscow and Ukraine, Taiwan and, and and… it’s still going. They are all about Open Space and are held entirely in Open Space.

29th WOSonOS  was held in 2023 in Berlin and 30th WOSonOS 2024 will be held this year in Istanbul between Oct 31 and Nov 2. This is going to be the first World Open Space on Open Space Gathering in Turkey ever.

You’ll find here more about Open Space Technology.

In time the Memories end, the remainder is pure Open Space. All the hopes, dreams and plans are gone. All that is left is an empty void of possibility – Open Space. For the first time, in perhaps a very long time, there is nothing on the “To Do” list. For individuals, companies, countries – it is all Possibility.
Harrison Owen 17.02.2024

Invitation

Open Space Technology (OST) is a dynamic and innovative approach to meeting facilitation and problem solving that enables self-management. Developed by organizational development consultant Harrison Owen in the late 1980s, OST has since been widely recognised and applied in a variety of fields. Based on the need for effective, agile, resilient and participatory ways of working, OST has been adopted in many fields such as business, non-governmental organizations, education, urban planning, public administration, community development and the arts. In a way, the method is the assurance that working methods with the mentioned qualities do not remain on paper due to its structure that offers equal participation to everyone and does not allow any manipulation. In addition, it is a prerequisite for sustainability as it ensures a holistic approach.

World Open Space on Open Space Istanbul offers an important opportunity to experience an “innovative” and “spontaneous” way of working, as well as to exchange ideas and share good practices on issues of global importance.

We believe that Istanbul’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant atmosphere will provide an inspiring backdrop for this meeting and that you will find your time in this beautiful city enjoyable. Come! Together, let’s embark on a journey towards building a better future for all. Your participation will increase the diversity of views and deepen our common understanding.

(Türkçesi için buraya tıklayın)

The space is open for the 30th World Open Space Gathering on Open Space (WOSonOS) which will take place between October 31st and November 2nd. The meeting will be held in Istanbul, our first time to meet in Turkey ever.


Prices:
Early Bird *EUR 250
Standard *EUR 330
Early bird discount is available until June 1, 2024 and the overall number of discount tickets is limited to 30 tickets.
*The price includes the participation in the three-day event, continuous coffee breaks and lunches.

Cancellation policy:
If you cancel before July 31, 2024 we can refund 80% of your ticket price. If you cancel before August 31, 2024 we can refund 50% of your ticket price. If you cancel after that we cannot offer a refund. Of course, you can transfer your ticket to someone else.

Method of Payment:
In case you require another method of payment and/or you need an invoice, please contact us directly at funda@wosonos2024.istanbul

Inclusion

We want to do our best to offer everyone who wishes the opportunity to participate. We will collaborate with Access Queen Open Space Community Fund and we’re pleased to announce a special discount offer for participants who may be facing financial difficulties. We understand that everyone’s circumstances are unique, and we’re committed to working with you to find a solution that meets your needs. Please note that this discount is offered on a case-by-case basis and is subject to availability. We encourage you to reach out to our team and contact Serhan who supports us for Inclusion.


Venue:

The venue will be Alan Kadıköy that is a new municipal performance centre that belongs to Kadiköy Municipality. The name of this beautiful performance center is already “Alan” meaning “Space”.

The Kadikoy district (Chalcedon is the first settlement founded by the Greeks of Megara on the Bosphorus in 685 BC) is easily accessible from the venue. Kadıköy and especially Yeldeğirmeni, with many bars, cinemas, restaurants and bookstores, is a residential and commercial district, the liberal cultural center of the Anatolian side of Istanbul. We think that this modern, brand new events center that offers a comfortable and safe space suitable for up to 300 people add a meaning and importance to WOSonOS especially following the loss of Harrison.

We also hope that through this event, we will be able to send a message to Local Authorities about Participatory Approaches. Another characteristic of this neighborhood is that despite the rapidly changing city, there are self organized solidarity movements who are trying to protect their living and green spaces (Valideg Grove). We are planning to invite them to WOSonOS 2024 to enable the event participants feel connected to what is happening locally.

What is WOSonOS ?

“World Open Space on Open Space” (WOSonOS) is an event that brings together practitioners and enthusiasts of Open Space Technology from around the world to share experiences, learn from each other and explore new applications and developments in the field. This gathering offers a unique opportunity to fully experience an innovative method for self organization as well as to exchange insights, share best practices and collaborate on issues of global significance.

Accomodation:

We have made a special agreement with Buem Hotel that is only 5 minutes from the venue.

Buem Hotel offers us a 30% price reduction. You can use the code “OPENSPACE24” when you book your stay and ask for the special rates. If you have any problem, please contact Bike Küçük (bike@wosonos2024.istanbul).

Should you require any further information or assistance regarding travel arrangements, accommodation, or any other aspect of your participation, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Programme:

31 October 2024
09:00 Welcoming, Registration and Coffee Break
09:30 Meeting around the circle – Welcoming of the Host and Organization Team
10:15 Introduction of the Method
10:30 Opening of the Space
11:30 Break Out Meetings Session-1st
12:30 Lunch
13:00 Break Out Meetings Session-2nd
14:00 Break Out Meetings Session-3rd
15:00 Break Out Meetings Session-4th 
16:00 Evening News 
17:00 Closing of the Circle

01 November 2024
09:00 Coffee Break
09:30 Meeting around the circle
10:00 Morning News and Opening of the Space
11:15 Break Out Meetings Session-5th
12:15 Lunch
13:15 Break Out Meetings Session-6th
14:15 Break Out Meetings Session-7th
15:15 Break Out Meetings Session-8th
16:15 Evening News and Closing of the Circle
17:15 Concert in memory of Harrison Owen
18:00 Cocktail with family and friends

02 November 2024
09:00 Coffee Break
09:30 Meeting around the circle
10:00 Morning News and Opening of the Space for Decisions
11:15 Break Out Meetings for Decisions-1st
12:15 Break Out Meetings for Decisions-2nd
13:15 Lunch
14:00 Closing Circle, Delivery of the talking stick to the host of  WOSonOS 2025 

*continuous coffee break
** all menus are vegetarian

Warm Regards
Organizing Team
mail@wosonos2024.istanbul

Organization Team

Funda

Funda Oral Toussaint is a dedicated facilitator of open space technology and intercultural communication consultant with a proven track record of creating engaging and inclusive decision making environments. She has 15 years of experience facilitating workshops, training sessions  and group discussions for diverse audiences.  Her approach to facilitation is rooted in active listening, empathy, and adaptability. She is  skilled at assessing group dynamics and tailoring her facilitation style to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. She believes that effective facilitation is about empowering individuals to discover their own insights and solutions.  Her mother tongue is Turkish, She can fluently speak French, English, Deutsch (B2 level) and some Italian. 

funda@wosonos2024.istanbul

Yeşim

After studying economics, Yeşim Karayel coached sales teams in the finance sector for many years. She is an analytical thinker and very good at strategy setting, planning, organizing. She also has many experiences in voluntary duties in non-governmental organizations. In her working life as a coach, her belief in the power of participatory decision-making, horizontal organization and effective communication has been reinforced.  Open Space Technology, which she was introduced to lately, impressed her as a model outside of hierarchical structures.  She strongly believes that a fair and egalitarian world is possible.She is the mother of a child and three cats.

yesim@wosonos2024.istanbul

Bike

Bike Küçük is a hospitality and tourism industry professional for over 20 years. She has taken managerial roles in 5 star international chain hotels, in the Convention Bureau of Istanbul, which is a non-profit destination marketing organization under the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. Finally she has joined Bright Travel, one of the leading travel agencies in Turkey, of which she was the name-mother 15 years ago. Now she is in charge of meeting and event planning, destination management services and finally health tourism. Bike studied in an Austrian High School in Istanbul and continued her university education in Istanbul, Austria and Spain. She speaks English, German and a little bit of Spanish as foreign languages.
She is an art lover, animal lover, a humanist, environmentalist woman and a mother of two children, a dog and a cat and believes in the magic of laughter.

bike@wosnos2024.istanbul

Contact

For every issue about WOSonOS 2024, please contact the organizing team : mail@wosonos2024.istanbul