World Café
World Café is a structured conversational process for engaging large groups in meaningful dialogue. It mimics the informal atmosphere of café conversations to foster open discussion and idea sharing. This method is ideal for exploring complex issues, generating new ideas, and building community.
How to run it
- 1
Identify key questions that are relevant and engaging for the group.
- 2
Set up round tables with necessary materials such as markers and paper.
- 3
Organize participants into groups of 4-5 at each table.
- 4
Conduct three 20-minute rounds of discussion, with one person staying as the 'host' while others move to different tables.
- 5
Encourage participants to share insights from previous conversations and document key ideas.
- 6
After discussions, hold a group synthesis to connect and reflect on the ideas generated.
Tips
Ensure questions are clear and compelling to guide discussions effectively.
Create a welcoming environment with comfortable seating and materials that encourage creativity.
Encourage cross-pollination of ideas by having participants move between tables.
Variations
Consider using different themes or questions for each round to explore multiple facets of the main topic. You can also adjust the number of rounds based on time constraints or group size.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use World Café?▾
Use World Café when you want to: Exploring complex challenges within an organization; Encouraging cross-departmental collaboration; Generating innovative ideas in a community setting.
How long does World Café take?▾
World Café typically takes 90 minutes.
How many participants does World Café work for?▾
World Café works best for groups of 24 or more.
What materials do I need for World Café?▾
To run World Café you will need: round tables, markers, flip charts, paper tablecloths.
How difficult is World Café to facilitate?▾
World Café is rated intermediate — some facilitation experience is helpful.
Plan your next workshop with AI
Workshop Weaver helps you combine methods like World Café into a complete, timed agenda in minutes.
Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Gamestorming.