Documentation Prague Oct 2012

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DOCUMENTATION

3rd

Network Meeting

Participation and Democracy in EuropeCo-designing for interaction in Public SpacesPrague 28

th-30

thSeptember 2012

On September 28th 30th, 2012 the third meeting of a network of NGOs and Academics

working on topics of Participation and Democracy in Europe, took place in Prague (CzechRepublic), at the bright location offered by the Anglo-American University.

THE NEED

The meeting is the result of the effort made by some members of the larger network whoworked in task forces and felt the need to meet again with the purpose of updating eachother about the state of the network and to prepare for the next meeting happening in Parisin 2013.

In the months of July and August, this core group of 10 members had several skype calls to

share their expectations and to prepare for the agenda.The organization of the meeting itself, is the result of a shared effort between the localmembers in Prague (who took charge of the logistics); the task force of the meeting plannedfor Paris (who invited the rest of the group to design an interaction in occasion of theexhibition United States of Europe, taking place at the Gare du Nord in February 2013) andthe rest of the group (who answered to the invitation).

THE PURPOSE

The purpose of the meeting was two-fold:

1- Checking the state of the art of the network and adopting a strategic vision;2- Learning to collaboratively design interactions in public spaces by using the case studyU.S.E.

With financial support from the EU Fundamental Rights & Citizenship Programme


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The expected outcomes of the meeting were:- Documents concerning the description of the network to be used for funding proposals- Three tested interactions in a public space to be customised later on in Paris

THE PARTICIPANTS

The group was formed of 10 members of the network who represented Citizen for Europe,FPH, Danube Foundation, Goethe Institute, Viadrina University, EuropaNova, La Bergerie,and the Anglo-American University.

A new member from the Anglo-American University, also joined as part of the network andwith roles of logistical assistance.

The experts Cathy Blisson (journalism) and Bas Kools (design in public spaces) supported

the process as coaches.

Johanna Czarnecka, jounalist from Youth Connected by Sound also joined the meeting toreport the event in a radio broadcasting programme.

Valentina Catena has carried the facilitation of the process with the assistance of Bas Kools.


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STRUCTURE AND AGENDA

Due to the multi-folded nature of the purpose, the meeting was divided into two distinct parts:

- Day 1: LOOKING BACK/LOOKING FORWARD.The first half day of Friday took the shape of an internal meeting focused on the networkitself. The main aim was to understand expectations regarding the network; update its state;share news and opportunities and see what had been achieved so far to be able to adopt astrategy for the future.

- Day 2 and 3: DESIGN AND TEST.

The days ofSaturday and Sunday were exclusively focussed on answering the challenge ofcollaboratively design an interaction in the local train station as a test for the action to bedeveloped for Paris. By using a design approach, the team had the opportunity to worktogether on a practical challenge; learn the tools of the method; experience the environmentof the train station; receive inputs from experts; test the ideas in a public action; createdocumentation to be able to achieve next goals; and understand what would take to arrive tothe next meeting ready.


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*** DAY 1FRIDAY 28th, Looking back, Looking Forward ***

CHECK-IN

After a short welcome and an introduction of the purpose of the meeting, the first activityconsisted in a Check In for the participants on the question With all the places I could be,why am I here today?.

Main answers to this question were stating:

Excited to see a group turning into a network

Where does this network go?

We saw developments between Berlin and Copenhagen, this is why we are here

It seems we have concrete intentions for this week end

I need to find out where we are going

How can we continue our developments?

Make Paris more concrete!

To see who is still here and who is the person behind the action

We can be proud of being here/ now already!


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It is my first time in a group that is doing something

What got the snow ball rolling?

I want to do something concrete

To learn together

Eager to learn how to make use of public spaces (tools and strategies)

Defining ourselves by doing vs talking

Paris as a prototype

To bridge between meetings (between Copenhagen and Paris)

Cooperative process of organization

Curiosity

Working together to figure out what is next

UPDATING THE NETWORK

Following we had three short presentations that updated the participants on What is boilinginto the networks pot. These lead into three working groups on:

1) LOOKING BACKThe group told the history of the network. A poster visually describing the main steps was

used to harvest the main findings.The poster contains answers to the questions:

What are the principles that are guiding our network?

What really happened when we meet in... Berlin, Copenhagen?

What was the purpose of the meeting?

What resources did we have available?

Who had what roles?

What did you learn? What surprised you?

After collecting insights from the group, Arianna De Mario and Sebastian Mehling took thelead of a working group having as main goal writing one page document with the history ofthe networkTo be submitted by October 11th, to be shared with the group before February 4th.

This document is to be attached to the report and to be used for funding proposals asit describes the network.


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2) RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN PARIS


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An update of the resources available for the action in Paris highlighted the followingelements:

Who: all 35 members will be invited to participate

What: create the first public action of the network; making passers-by engage inconversations about Europe, making them participate; using the art work as a mean andpurpose to act at the same time

When: February 6th to 10th

What has been done so far:

- Francois Vlaminck and Inga Wachsmann submitted a Youth in Action 4.3 application(13.000 to cover 70% of accomodation and travel costs: 66 per participant per day); 7partners are involved.

- the Goethe institute (Katharina Scriba) provides equipment and location

- Paris group will take care of the organization and the logistics

What has to be done: find extra-funding!!

Ideas: City Council, Foundations, using Couchsurfing to scale up the action and cut downcosts of accomodation

Note: If the application for the YiA is rejected, the network agreed to organise the Parisaction at the expenses of its members

Open question: How will the network behave in the future? Will it always react to the callsfor help of its members as in the case of Johanna and USE? How will it be decided on whichactions to engage in?

3) DESCRIPTION OF THE NETWORK

This group worked on the format of a document to submit to the Commission to officiallyestablish the network and justify the funding received so far.

Who:Martin Wilhelm and Tanja Bubic

What: 3/4 pager (the document on the history is a part of it)Note: The official document is just a justifier for the Commission. From thisdocument, we could elaborate another document establishing the network whichmakes use of a more interactive format (Prezy?). This interactive "document" shallcontain a presentation of what the network is, of its members, actions etc., and shallbe regularly updated by all members.

When: Deadline for document to the Commission: 31st

March; Prezy: ideally inFebruary, to be checked by the whole network before Paris.


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EVALUATION OF THE DAYThe day finished with a speed dots-evaluation, to measure the group feeling on thestatements:

I am happy with thepace of theworkshop

I am satisfied withthe results of the day

I am positive aboutthe future of thisnetwork

I find space to

express myself andmy ideas

I feelfrustrated/unheard

Here on the picture theresults of the evaluation.


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** DAY 2SATURDAY 29th, EXPERIENCE and DESIGN **

Purpose: LEARN HOW TO DESIGN ACTIONS IN PUBLIC SPACES BY SUPPORTINGTHE CALL FROM U.S.E

Outcome: Three role played ideas to be ready to be built.

1. INTRODUCTIONS

After an introduction on the purpose of the day and an illustration of the agenda, the daystarted with the presentation of the project United States of Europe by Johanna Suo, headof the project. The power point of the presentation is attached to this document.

This was followed by an introduction on the design process by Bas Kools, who explainedthe steps that are needed to understand the context and ourselves within that context. The

Prezy of the presentation can be found at http://prezi.com/mjrkzhiidv5e/public-space-

research-guide/.

2. DISCUSSION OF THE CHALLENGE

Following the introductions, the group has been divided into three teams, each of themhaving their own working space, with plenty of wall surface to gather findings.

The teams have been divided as following:

Team Blue: Martin Wilhelm, Inga Wachsmann, Tanja Bubic

Team Green: Johanna Suo, Laetitia Veriter, Christian Miess, Sebastian Mehling

Team Yellow: Hrishabh Sandilya, Arianna De Mario, Franois Vlaminck, Rachel Danna

Each participant received a kit containing a map of the city and directions to get to the trainstation, 4 tickets for public transport, a black market, a booklet titled Small guide into

investigation in public space with exercises and steps to follow during the research phase.

Reached their working space, each member of the team has been asked to reflect by his
http://prezi.com/mjrkzhiidv5e/public-space-research-guide/http://prezi.com/mjrkzhiidv5e/public-space-research-guide/http://prezi.com/mjrkzhiidv5e/public-space-research-guide/http://prezi.com/mjrkzhiidv5e/public-space-research-guide/http://prezi.com/mjrkzhiidv5e/public-space-research-guide/


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own, collect and then share their answers to the following questions about the challenge:

- What does the challenge mean to you?

- What is your experience in engaging with the public?

- How do you engage with artwork in public space?

- What USE means for for you and how do you relate to it?

- What are the essential elements of the challenge?

- What do you think the context of the trainstation can bring?

- Who are the people you want to engage with?

- What do you want to find out / learn?

This step had the purpose of exploring the relation between the personal experience of theparticipant and the challenge.

Here the results of the discussion:

Team Green:


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Team Blue:


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Team Yellow:


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3. RESEARCH AT THE TRAIN STATION

The day went on with the whole group moving to the central train station in Prague for thephase of research and exploration. Each team has been asked to divide into pairs and toexplore the station by following the exercises reported Small guide into investigation in

public space, steps 1-7 .

The day went on with Pair Interviews onMy next projects: Which is the project I wouldbe open for collaboration?.Each participant was invited to share with the interview partnerstrengthsand strugglesthat

he/she was encountering in this specific project.


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4. SHARING THE FINDINGS

Once back at the conference room, each member of each team recorded their observationson the following questions:

1 - Moments of discomfort/comfort: when and why did they take place? 2 - Who do you think you talked to, who would you have liked to talk to?

3 - What caught you attention the most?

4 - What are your biggest challenges?

5 - What do you feel you need to learn about?

6- What can USE be for you, in a space like this?

Here what emerged after each participant shared their reflection with their own team:

Team GREEN:


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Team YELLOW:


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Team BLUE:


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5. CREATE A RESEARCH QUESTION

From each answered section, the team members have been asked to agree on one elementthat would create a Research Question. The Research Question focuses the attention of the

research in designing for a specific target, for a specific learning that the team wants to gain,for a specific challenge to overcome. By doing this, it creates a frame that focus thebrainstorm of solutions towards the delimited field of interest of the team.

Team Blue R.Q.:How can I recognise opportunities of a space to hook for "avarage Joe's" interest to createan interaction with non-verbal tools

Team Yellow R.Q:

Team Green R.Q.:

How can we create a situation/scenario in which the clash of persons interest/cultures is apositive learning experience?

6. BRAINSTORM SOLUTIONS

The next step was to find solutions able to answer the research question, looking at four

aspects: What type of interaction?

What is the content of the interaction?

Where can it take place?

How could it be shared with others afterwards?


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Here the results:

Team BLUE GREEN YELLOWRQ How can I recognise

opportunities of a space tohook for "avarage Joe's"

interest to create aninteraction with non-verbaltools

How can we create asituation/scenario in whichthe clash of persons

interest/cultures is apositive learningexperience?

TypeInteract.

flashmob /movie - media scene /welcome wall with yourpictures for Europe /camera boot /message in a bottle /via smartphones

singing (us)/drawing/sketching (them)asking for help /verbal discussion (mutual)/

helping passers-by to carrythe bag /fight /flashmob

Content motivation for my nextcross-border trip / welcome"sms /what is currently in themedia /what is the sound ofEurope? What music shall Ihear to travel in Europe?

Trains /movement /

Fortress Europe /Initial question depending

on type of interaction /connections with art work /federal Europe(provocative) /diversity and multiculturality/European economy andpolitics /knowledge and joy

Location while running to catch train/show a drawing from out ofthe window to passengersin a train / where peoplewait (train tracks, infoboard) / smoking corner /wifi corner /

when entering-leavingtrain/when entering-leaving garedu Nord /with waiting group /with people very differentfrom our group (hippiesapproaching economists) /in all places of station (nospotlight, don't put peopleon a stage)

Recording send handwritten postcards/peoples facebook account /people leave comments +impressions /audio recorder

give something like boat,flower, hug /video, text, soundrecording, song lyrics, artwork /video streaming /pictures on facebook /

QR codes /ask for e-mail response

MISSING PICTURE AND TRANSCRIPTIONS BRANSTORMING YELLOW


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7. CREATE A SCENARIO

The brainstormed elements lead to the creation of a scenario, a story that describescoherently the WHAT, HOW, WHERE, and the RECORDING.

SCENARIO BLUE

Who: non-English-speaking mother,Where: waiting in front of track board / track information boardStructure the waiting spaceContent: Making them think / reflect about Europe Music + old school picturesSociometry / visualisation in front of info board / Floor newspaper without language (passers-by stick information on it

Offer shelter (umbrella, scarf, red carpet) to accompany people and walk them to train trackswhile conversating)Signal words that connect with Europe (peace, borders etc)


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How do people use the train station?

SCENARIO GREEN

EncounterCommunityTravelingShare something yours with a messageask for visit and comment on webpageWhere: waiting place (arrival/departure board, meeting point)give message in or on water bottlegive item and ask to pass it on to someone elseInterviews: my name is/ i am here 'cause / I am from / I am wondering about...and you? /Where are you at home / What represents home for you can you write it on this boat / Thisis Europe for me, what is it for you / Can you gift me with a story project / Walk with me!

Timetable with special target group3 stages: give to - pass on / encounter / interview conversation (LEARN)Feedback:Passing-on idea


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SCENARIO YELLOW:


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INPUT FROM THE EXPERT

The day went on with an input from Cathy Bliss who showed several projects of engagementin public spaces made by artists and journalists.Here a list of links to the projects showed during the presentation:

8. JOURNEY MAPPING

After creating the scenario, each team was asked to describe the journey that the passer-bywould take into the train station. Where are the points of interaction with the designedelements? Where is the first contact? What resources are needed and who will do what?


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9. ROLE PLAY & FEEDBACK

At the end of the day, the teams developed a role play to show how the interaction wouldwork, to the rest of the group. After a short performance, each team received feedback.

The result of the role play were:

Team Blue: Using the space of the train station and the bodies of the members of the team,a corridor is created. Signs would invite passers-by to choose a direction to express theircontent with a federal approach or a national approach to European Union.

Team Yellow: The passers-by are invited to play a game that leads them to multiple choicesconcerning their European identity.

Team Green: The people waiting for their next train, are approached for an interview and areasked to share something personal.

CHECK OUT

The teams gathered together to find unity and to share their experience of the day. Somepeople expressed their concerns in working in small groups for the whole time, while othersdidnt find this to be an issue. Also, some people felt frustrated because of the speed of theprocess; others found they had enough time to go through the tasks. Someone proposed thatthe 3 ideas would be merged, or to mix the teams. This proposal was parked for the time inwhich ideas are finalised and tested, so that each team could go though the learning processthat they defined.

EVALUATION OF THE DAY

The day finished with a speed dots-evaluation, to measure the group feeling on thestatements:

I am happy with the paceof the workshop

I am satisfied with theresults of the day

I am positive about thefuture of this network

I find space to expressmyself and my ideas

I feel frustrated/unheard


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*** DAY 3SUNDAY 30th, BUILD AND TEST ***

Purpose: Prototype and verify the ideas at the train station in Prague

Outcome: Action Plan for Paris

After a short introduction of the agenda of the day, each team looked into the feedbackcoming from the rest of the group and compiled a list of what was needed to be ready toPrototype. This day was about going thorugh the steps 8-11 of the Small Guide ofInteractions in Public Spaces


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10. BUILD/ The design process

The next step was to actually build the materials and design everything needed for theprototype.


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11. TEST AND PROTOTYPE

The day went on with the teams leaving the conference room for the train station where theytested different versions of their ideas. In this phase, they experimented with what works and

what doesnt work in their approach/ the context/ the materials.

12. SHARE REFLECTIONS AND REPORT


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Back in the conference room, the teams are invited to reflect about what they experienced atthe train station.

What worked well?

What failed?

What needs improvements? What surprised you?

The reflections opened up for the writing of the report of the teams project that contains theessential information:- name of the action- how does it work?- what did you learn?- what is it needed to arrive to Paris?

The reports of the projects are attached to this document.

13. Plenum What did really happen in the last two days? What didyou learn?

To collectively share the reflections, before the action plan, the whole group gathered

together in a circle.Participants were invited to answer to the question What did really happen the last 2days?

How to interact in public spaces

We are well motivated people

Questions are really important- some can block; others push you forward

It is real work

I learned to explore with no expected results "loose control and be fine with it"

If there is more control, it is still ok

Surprised by how easy it was

We prepared for Paris we "did": took action in public spaces

We got lost/ without a map

We put the ground for the public action in Paris

learn design tinking skills

learning methods is a learning process

we wrapped up what happened so far in the network

I would like to do what we do in our meetings, in public spaces (facilitation in publicspace)

it is harder than expected

i like to thought some ideas

collective brainstorming teambuilding

context of the space/train station


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What did you learn?

meeting face to face is necessary-"Only good preparation can get spontaneous reactions"

how to work as a group/ group dynamics try out with different groups

how difficult it is to interact in public spaces

learned awareness skills/ tools to bring it forward

"I want to make a difference"

"What is a finished result"?

14. ACTION PLAN What is needed and by when do we need to dowhat?

Paris group: naming one main coordinator to supervise the communication flow betweenthe members

When Who What Notes8th ofOctober

All Fill in the evaluation Click here to access theevaluation form

10th Cathy Send the list of links of thevideos to the whole group

11thOctober

AriannaDe Marioand

SebastianMehling

Writing one pagedocument with the history ofthe network and send it to

Martin and Tanja

This document is to be attached tothe report and to be used forfunding proposals as it describes

the network.Please, share it on google doc orother collaborative platform on line.

12t October

All Send the final document foreach project

Contextually, decide oneresponsible for the team who willtake care of the supervision of theproject and will refer to the rest ofthe network

15th ofOctober

Valentina Finalize the documentationof the workshop and share it

17thOctober

Arianna Send an email to the rest ofthe network describing the

workshop in Prague andasking about showinginterest in further

DOCUMENTATIONS FROM THEGROUPS IS NEEDED HERE.

Name a responsible buddy thatcan include the newcomer withcommunication one-to-one.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFF0cFdKcnQ3Yi1Nb0N5MjVEdkRKbWc6MQhttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFF0cFdKcnQ3Yi1Nb0N5MjVEdkRKbWc6MQhttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFF0cFdKcnQ3Yi1Nb0N5MjVEdkRKbWc6MQhttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFF0cFdKcnQ3Yi1Nb0N5MjVEdkRKbWc6MQhttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFF0cFdKcnQ3Yi1Nb0N5MjVEdkRKbWc6MQ


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engagement in one specificproject of the three listed inthe documentation.

20thOctober

Valentina-Bas

Give feedback on theprojects and make aproposal for Paris.

DOCUMENTATIONS FROM THEGROUPS IS NEEDED HERE.Share this document with thegroup who can give feedback untilthe 28th of October.

28t October

All Give feedback on the Parisproposal

1stNovember

Johanna Formalize a proposal to thetrain station authorities

DOCUMENTATIONS FROM THEGROUPS IS NEEDED HERE.

27th ofOctober

Martinand Tanja

Writing 3-4 pages draft ofwhat the network is, of itsmembers, actions etc.

The whole document has tobe shared by the 27th ofOctober with the rest of thenetwork which can givefeedback until the 4th ofFebruary.

Include the document about thehistory of the network

This document will used toelaborate another document whichmakes use of a more interactiveformat (Prezy?).Deadline for document to the

Commission: 31st March.

Here below, the pictures of the action plan(s)


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NEXT EVENT: Key dates

-All: 17th January: Opening of USE at theGare du Nord.

-All: 6th February: arrival in Paris

-All 7th-8th of February: attend the first 2days of workshop to create the action.

-All 9th February: Action at the Gare duNord and celebration.

-All 10th February: reflection on thenetwork.

-All: 11th February: Departure

MISSING

Links from CathyPicture RQ- Brainstorming and scenarioReports from each team

To add

Ppt di Johanna lattachedEvaluation