WORKSHOP MODERATION
Workshop moderation was part of my internship at Yellow Ball.
I am excited to be part of the participative citizen workshop as a moderator
Background
One of the many activities of Yellow Ball is to develop and moderate participative workshops. The aim is to arrive at results and recommendations that are concrete and can be adequately implemented.
During these workshops we guide the client in the creative process. Design thinking, co-creation and cooperation are used to help the client give structure to their thought process and generate creative solutions. A typical workshop lasts for about 3 to 4 hours.
During these workshops we guide the client in the creative process. Design thinking, co-creation and cooperation are used to help the client give structure to their thought process and generate creative solutions. A typical workshop lasts for about 3 to 4 hours.
How/What
During the internship Jan and I have been moderating two workshops
1. Event creation for Esch 2023
In 2023 the municipality of Esch-sur-Sûre will celebrate its 1250th anniversary. The organizers want to integrate the opinions and wishes of the associations and citizens into the program of events. To this end, two workshops were organized.
Event creation for Esch 2023: Introduction to the workshop
Event creation for Esch 2023: First brainstorming phase
Event creation for Esch 2023: First brainstorming phase
Event creation for Esch 2023: Groups go around the other tables to get inspiration from other groups
Event creation for Esch 2023: Groups go around the other tables to get inspiration from other groups
Event creation for Esch 2023: Groups present their main ideas to the other citizens present at the workshop
Event creation for Esch 2023: Groups present their main ideas to the other citizens present at the workshop
2. Restructuring of businesses
This workshop was set up for two online platforms that support artists and cultural activities in Luxemburg. The goal of the workshop was to reflect on a possible future collaboration between the two parties as they have overlapping target groups. As a result of the workshop a dialogue between the two parties was initiated that will eventually shape their future cooperation
This workshop was set up for two online platforms that support artists and cultural activities in Luxemburg. The goal of the workshop was to reflect on a possible future collaboration between the two parties as they have overlapping target groups. As a result of the workshop a dialogue between the two parties was initiated that will eventually shape their future cooperation
Mixed groups with participants from both KUK and CULTURE.LU brainstorm and put their ideas on paper
Each group presents their main ideas
KUK and CULTURE.LU vote for their favorite ideas
During the preparation of the workshop, I contributed to the planning of the workshop, the posters for brainstorming and the room layout. During the workshop I have been taking notes, moderating the subgroups by guiding them through the thinking process and idea creation, and taking photos. After the workshop I have summarized the ideas generated during the workshop in a well-organized report. In addition, I have made recommendations for future action. The reports and recommendations will be used by the client to present to other parties or to base decisions on. I have written an article and edited photos of the workshop to be published on the Yellow Ball website.
Link Article:
Results
From the moderator’s perspective these workshops use design thinking as the methodological element and focus on the human element by facilitating communication that will lead to better cooperation.
From the moderator’s perspective these workshops use design thinking as the methodological element and focus on the human element by facilitating communication that will lead to better cooperation.
My personal benefit in doing these workshops is twofold. Firstly, as a moderator you need to be a careful listener being open to what people say and think to come up with a representative report, catching all thoughts and ideas that could in the end be beneficial for further development. Secondly, I was able to use, in a professional setting, my knowledge on design-thinking methodology and on creativity techniques that I have accumulated during my education. In the past I have used these techniques mainly for physical products. During the workshop I could use this knowledge to help other people in very different settings. I experienced that these methodologies are widely applicable and lead to tangible outcomes.
