Using Open Space Technology to Address Needs of Tanzania's Street Children

In January of this year I facilitated a national conference near Tanzania's capital, Dar es Salaam, to address the needs of the country's growing number of street children. I did this in my capacity as the then executive director of a British charity, the Consortium for Street Children. More than 80 persons participated. They included street children, local government officials, leaders of nongovernmental organisations, representatives of national ministries, international organisations, and corporations. The conference was opened by Tanzania's pime minister and was widely covered by that country's news media.

By using Open Space Technology I helped the participants to look at street children issues over the last three decades, the present, and then help them to envision a better future. This was the first time that the participants had an opportunity to share their experience and opinions. It was a messy, creative and productive process that produced a common platform for moving forward. The results are now being used by the Ministry for Community Development, Gender and Children to develop a national strategy for street children.

A short video report on the conference can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLc0bLG3Ehc.