{"id":27,"date":"2015-07-04T02:58:35","date_gmt":"2015-07-04T10:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theworldcafe.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=27"},"modified":"2026-01-09T15:31:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T23:31:26","slug":"design-principles","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/theworldcafe.com\/key-concepts-resources\/design-principles\/","title":{"rendered":"Design Principles"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_color=”#f5f5f5″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/theworldcafe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/world_cafe_01.jpg” title_text=”world_cafe_01″ show_bottom_space=”off” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”5vh||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

photo by Ulrich Soeder<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_text_color=”#00A6E0″ custom_padding=”3vh|4vw|||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

\u201cTeam members create new points of view through dialogue and discussion. They pool their information and examine it from various angles. Eventually, they integrate their diverse individual perspectives into a new collective perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n

~ Nanonka, the Knowledge Creating Company<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#00A6E0″ custom_padding=”3vw|2vw||2vw|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IjxoMT4iLCJhZnRlciI6IjwvaDE+In19@[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”3vh|3vw|3vh|3vw|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

The following seven World Caf\u00e9 design principles are an integrated set of ideas and practices that form the basis of the pattern embodied in the World Caf\u00e9 process (see also the\u00a0<\/span>Wiser Together guiding principles<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>for more about the World Cafe\u2019s DNA)<\/p>\n

1) Clarify the Context<\/strong>
Understanding the context of the WC event is the foundation for everything connected to the design of a WC process – u<\/span>nderstanding the reason you are bringing people together, and what you want to achieve, cultural details, etc. enables you to consider and choose the elements needed to realize your goals: e.g. who should be part of the conversation, what themes or questions will be most pertinent, what sorts of harvest will be more useful, etc..<\/p>\n

2) Create Hospitable Space<\/strong>
Caf\u00e9 hosts around the world emphasize the power and importance of creating a hospitable space\u2014one that feels safe and inviting. When people feel comfortable to be themselves, they do their most creative thinking, speaking, and listening. In particular, consider how your invitation and your physical set-up contribute to creating a welcoming atmosphere.<\/p>\n

3) Explore Questions that Matter<\/strong>
Knowledge emerges in response to compelling questions. Find questions that are relevant to the real-life concerns of the group. Powerful questions that \u201ctravel well\u201d help attract collective energy, insight, and action as they move throughout a system. Depending on the timeframe available and your objectives, your Caf\u00e9 may explore a single question or use a progressively deeper line of inquiry through several conversational rounds.<\/p>\n

4) Encourage Everyone\u2019s Contribution<\/strong>
As leaders we are increasingly aware of the importance of participation, but most people don\u2019t only want to participate, they want to actively contribute to making a difference. It is important to encourage everyone in your meeting to contribute their ideas and perspectives, while also allowing anyone who wants to participate by simply listening to do so.<\/p>\n

5) Connect Diverse Perspectives<\/strong>
The opportunity to move between tables, meet new people, actively contribute your thinking, and link the essence of your discoveries to ever-widening circles of thought is one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Caf\u00e9. As participants carry key ideas or themes to new tables, they exchange perspectives, greatly enriching the possibility for surprising new insights.<\/p>\n

6) Listen together for Patterns and Insights<\/strong>
Listening is a gift we give to one another. The quality of our listening is perhaps the most important factor determining the success of a Caf\u00e9. Through practicing shared listening and paying attention to themes, patterns and insights, we begin to sense a connection to the larger whole. Encourage people to listen for what is not being spoken along with what is being shared.<\/p>\n

7) Share Collective Discoveries<\/strong>
Conversations held at one table reflect a pattern of wholeness that connects with the conversations at the other tables. The last phase of the Caf\u00e9, often called the \u201charvest\u201d, involves making this pattern of wholeness visible to everyone in a large group conversation. Invite a few minutes of silent reflection on the patterns, themes and deeper questions experienced in the small group conversations and call them out to share with the larger group. Make sure you have a way to capture the harvest \u2013 working with a graphic recorder is recommended.<\/p>\n

For a more in-depth look at the World Caf\u00e9 design principles, see the\u00a0<\/span>World Caf\u00e9 book<\/a>.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

photo by Ulrich Soeder\u201cTeam members create new points of view through dialogue and discussion. They pool their information and examine it from various angles. Eventually, they integrate their diverse individual […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":23,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"The following seven World Caf\u00e9 design principles are an integrated set of ideas and practices that form the basis of the pattern embodied in the World Caf\u00e9 process (see also the Wiser Together guiding principles<\/a> for more about the World Cafe's DNA)\n\n1) Clarify the Context<\/strong>\nPay attention to the reason you are bringing people together, and what you want to achieve. Knowing the purpose and parameters of your meeting enables you to consider and choose the most important elements needed to realize your goals: e.g. who should be part of the conversation, what themes or questions will be most pertinent, what sorts of harvest will be more useful, etc..\n\n2) Create Hospitable Space<\/strong>\nCaf\u00e9 hosts around the world emphasize the power and importance of creating a hospitable space\u2014one that feels safe and inviting. When people feel comfortable to be themselves, they do their most creative thinking, speaking, and listening. In particular, consider how your invitation and your physical set-up contribute to creating a welcoming atmosphere.\n\n3) Explore Questions that Matter<\/strong>\nKnowledge emerges in response to compelling questions. Find questions that are relevant to the real-life concerns of the group. Powerful questions that \"travel well\" help attract collective energy, insight, and action as they move throughout a system. Depending on the timeframe available and your objectives, your Caf\u00e9 may explore a single question or use a progressively deeper line of inquiry through several conversational rounds.\n\n4) Encourage Everyone's Contribution<\/strong>\nAs leaders we are increasingly aware of the importance of participation, but most people don't only want to participate, they want to actively contribute to making a difference. It is important to encourage everyone in your meeting to contribute their ideas and perspectives, while also allowing anyone who wants to participate by simply listening to do so.\n\n5) Connect Diverse Perspectives<\/strong>\nThe opportunity to move between tables, meet new people, actively contribute your thinking, and link the essence of your discoveries to ever-widening circles of thought is one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Caf\u00e9. As participants carry key ideas or themes to new tables, they exchange perspectives, greatly enriching the possibility for surprising new insights.\n\n6) Listen together for Patterns and Insights<\/strong>\nListening is a gift we give to one another. The quality of our listening is perhaps the most important factor determining the success of a Caf\u00e9. Through practicing shared listening and paying attention to themes, patterns and insights, we begin to sense a connection to the larger whole. Encourage people to listen for what is not being spoken along with what is being shared.\n\n7) Share Collective Discoveries<\/strong>\nConversations held at one table reflect a pattern of wholeness that connects with the conversations at the other tables. The last phase of the Caf\u00e9, often called the \"harvest\", involves making this pattern of wholeness visible to everyone in a large group conversation. Invite a few minutes of silent reflection on the patterns, themes and deeper questions experienced in the small group conversations and call them out to share with the larger group. Make sure you have a way to capture the harvest - working with a graphic recorder is recommended.\n\nFor a more in-depth look at the World Caf\u00e9 design principles, see the World Caf\u00e9 book<\/a>.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P6sDis-r","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theworldcafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theworldcafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theworldcafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theworldcafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theworldcafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/theworldcafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24156,"href":"https:\/\/theworldcafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27\/revisions\/24156"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theworldcafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theworldcafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}