Participation Paradigm (PP)

This is a guest course of ICA Associates (Canada), delivered by Duncan Holmes who brings over 35 years of experience in the field.

Who this course is for

Group Facilitation Methods is a pre-requisite for this course, and prior facilitation experience is recommended. It is suitable for those who would like to dig beneath the surface for an in-depth understanding of ToP processes, and particularly for those who intend to make ToP methods a central component of their facilitation practice.

This might include team leaders and project managers within organisations, those working collaboratively with partners and external stakeholders, youth and community workers and independent facilitators.

"I gained insights into how groups and organisations function, and into the vocation and the subtle qualities and responsibilities of a facilitator - it was about getting in touch with myself, with my client groups, and with the profession of facilitation" - Deliana Simeonova, the Consulting Centre on Participation Processes, Bulgaria

Questions this course answers

“Why do ToP methods work so successfully in such different situations? Why is it that these methods get so much high quality participation? Why does the use of ToP methodology affect participants so profoundly? What are the underlying understandings that form the basis for these methods?”

We believe that there are some insights worth sharing and exploring in this area. ICA’s ToP methods are based on years of cross-cultural research into human patterns of perception and experience. We have asked ourselves how people think, process ideas, work in groups, form consensus, make decisions and create commitment.

This course focuses on the underlying assumptions that provide the framework for creative, powerful usage and understanding of ToP methods. We take you inside the philosophies and values to gain an understanding of the depth that provides the foundation for ToP facilitation. We also challenge you to consider the implications of this for your own lives, and your roles as facilitators.

What you will gain

By the end of the course, you will have

• enhanced your capacity to use and adapt ToP methods to specific challenging situations
• developed your ability to respond appropriately to individual and group struggles
• deepened your understanding of the compelling nature of the ToP processes
• seen through the techniques of facilitation to grasp the human drama of participatory processes

The course is structured into four sessions, each drawing on a chapter of the ICA Canada book “The Courage to Lead” (a copy of the book is included in the cost of the course and posted in advance, on receipt of your booking):

• the limits & possibility of participation - the radical intent of participation & Disciplined Lucidity (chapter 2)
• standing present to life – the “contentless” method & Continual Affirmation (chapter 3)
• catalysing effective participation - applications of the contentless method & Inclusive Responsibility (chap. 9)
• the pioneering vocation of participation - the style of the facilitator and Social Pioneer (chapter 10)

Learning style

The course combines participatory study and reflection of each chapter of the book, with individual and small group exercises.

What do participants say about this course?

90% of PP participants rated this course 7/10 or higher.

Comments from participants’ end-of-course evaluations included:

• two full days of personal understanding, training, sharing, art appreciation, practising ToP methods, meeting new people
• a careful and thoughtful review of the thinking which underpins ICA methods

Check our course dates or book now.