Report from Open Space Workshops, Thur. 6.11.2003


How to stay neutral as a Joker:
People in the group: Vlado, Keti, Nicolas, Gaby, Vali, Jelena, Roni, Frank, Dobri & Ana.
Vlado: There is no right or wrong as an attitude in jokering.
Ana: This is and was question for me about this issue. But one as a joker has to prevent or cope with the insults (as e.g. "filthy gipsy"). You should make clear to the children which kind of behaviour that is proposed in the forum, is leading towards solution of the problem / conflict.
 
Dobri: If the forum is done with adolescents and someone hurts / offends someone else, then joker should absolutely protect the one who is hurt / offended. And this is not a neutral position.
Vlado: Making a contract with audience on the rules of the game beforehand with foruming is a way to prevent potential insults.
     
Vali: I don't agree with it. People are fed up with different rules all around, and I wouldn't like that someone impose me rules in thatre. One looses the freedom this way.
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Jasmina: When I mentioned this issue of staying neutral, I also and mostly meant how to be, and remain, emotionally neutral and in a ballance.
How not to be emotionally affected by some things which will be said, or better, to find mechanisms how to canalise your emotionality in such a moment maintaining control. And this has to do with emotional intelligence and wisdom which come from experience and practice. There isn't a formula-answer to this question, everyone of us has to find personal answer to this.
Gaby: Co-jokering (jokering in pairs) can be very empowering for the new-fresh jokers. Learning from your partner-joker is a very important thing.

Statements from the group:
- Open questions, difference and appreciation of others opinion
- There are no right or wrong classifications, judgements, just sharing the experience
- Some kind of nption that some solutions would lead to some better situation
- There's always a goal, because it is educational technique
- It's the matter of raising the self-confidence
- Preventing the insults: Making agreement with audience
- Emotionally neutral
- The same rules for everyone so the judmental opinion would be avoided
- Co-operation & help of the colleagues- To be held able to feel the needs of the group.
- Direction must be clear
- Reception of the things without taking too much pressure of our heads and heart in the situation.