The World Cafe and how to Host it
The integrated design principles have been distilled over the years as a guide to intentionally harnessing the power of conversation for business and social value. When used in combination, they provide useful guidance for anyone seeking creative ways to foster authentic dialogue in which the goal is thinking together and creating actionable knowledge.
As a living network pattern, the World Café refers to a living network of conversations that is continually co-evolving as we explore questions that matter with our family, friends, colleagues, and community. The metaphor of the "World as Café" helps us notice these invisible webs of dialogue and personal relationships that enable us to learn, create shared purpose, and shape life-affirming futures together.
Interested in convening and hosting a World Café? These resources will guide you through the process. Taken together, they cover everything from considerations related to the design of the café, physical set-up of the café environment, creative application of the café design principles, and much more. All you need are people and a place to meet!
Café to Go! This concise guide to the World Café covers the basics of the process. It includes brief outlines of each principle, a description of Café Etiquette, an outline of key elements of the World Café conversations, and tips for creating Café ambiance.
The World Café: A Resource Guide. A robust guide to hosting your Café, this guide gives more detail on the principles and explains the role of the Café host and the table host. A complete list of supplies and room set up needs is included. (There is a charge for this guide, which is offered by a 3rd party)
The Art of Powerful Questions. This comprehensive guide written by Eric Vogt, Juanita Brown and David Isaacs explores the three dimensions of a powerful question–construction, scope and assumptions–and then offers sample questions for focusing collective attention, finding deeper insight and creating forward movement.

