Some key factors:

• Mosaic is a “process skeleton” which contains sets of practices and predefined four roles with the so called Tile Owners, Supervisors, Cell Masters and Targets.
• Mosaic enables the creation of self-organizing sales and marketing by encouraging citizen initiative and communication across the service area.
• A key implementations of the Mosaic systems for managing the overall process is its crowd-sourcing web technologies.

The theme of the talk was “When ordinary citizens rewrite their constitution“.

Presentation given by Gudjon Mar Gudjonsson director at Agora and facilitator at the grassroots organized Ministry of Ideas. Political context in Iceland was discussed and the process around the Constitutional Council of 25 ordinary citizens.

Additional reaction and comments where given by Bastien François who teaches political science at the University of Paris-I. Bastien François wrote a famous book for a new constitution: “The Constitution of the Sixth French Republic”. Additional reaction given by Philippe Aigrain, founder and CEO of Sopinspace, Society for Public Information Spaces, a company that develops free software and provides services for the public debate of policy issues. Additional input and discussions where given by many of the participants during the session.

Overall this was a great session and the atmosphere at the end gave many of the participants an inspiration that this could be a start of a movement of a new constitutional reform of France.

To download the PDF presentation file, register at Slideshare for free and download the presentation file from here.

Download The Constitutional Bill PDF

A proposal for a new constitution for the Republic of Iceland can be downloaded here. This version was delivered to the Althing by The Constitutional Council on 29 July 2011. An independent translation.

- Draft Visioning Assembly Handbook

You are welcome to help us improve this facilitator handbook within this open Google Docs.

To better understand the organization and administration of a larger scale visioning session, its important to discuss the different roles.

The following roles are needed to support a 1.000 participant visioning session:

• Participants.  1.000 participant that just represent themselves at the visioning event.
• Facilitators.  112 Facilitators, each facilitating 9 participants on its table.
• Zone Masters.  8 Zone Masters, each handling 14 Facilitators within its Zone.
• Runners. For each zone there are two runners that helps the Zone Masters to collect material and feed the back-office data center.
• Master of Ceremonies. Responsible for the overall timing and sync of each zone masters. The MC is facilitating each of the Zone Masters.

In addition to the above roles, there are staff members in charge of the facility and any back-office activity like data entry.

The following overview further explains each of the roles.

Participants

The participants don’t have to prepare themselves for the meeting and they represent no one but themselves.

Facilitators

Well trained facilitators are responsible for the flow of the discussion and the agenda on their tables.  The facilitators can be volunteers that are participating at a greatly rewarding session that brings the best out of people. One of the responsibilities of the facilitators is to bring out as many viewpoints from the participants as possible, make certain that they are comfortable and feel independent and have a positive attitude.

All the facilitators have been well trained in managing the flow of the meeting. Individuals who are trained in human relations and have a positive attitude towards life, are chosen for this job.  It’s like each facilitator is handling its own startup company of 9 people. Focusing on making it exciting and successful.

A great tactic in preparation for the Visioning session is to have each facilitator check-in with its 9 participants. Connect with them on email, by phone, social sites or other personal means.  This will build trust and a commitment for the actual visioning event.

Zone Masters

The Zone Masters know the flow and methodology of the visioning assembly inside and out. They’re really the Jedi’s geeks and believers of the overall philosophy of the whole concept.  The Zone Masters are in constant sync and communication with the Master of Ceremonies. The Zone Masters meet regularly at a center point operated by the MC where timing and progress is communicated and managed.

Runners

Runners are eager students that are volunteering to help the flow of information at the session. Each Zone Master have two Runners that assist them in any way needed. Mostly on collecting data from each of the tables at a time set by the MC.

Master of Ceremonies

The MC is the master Jedi of the overall visioning session. It’s an invisible guy that is focused on just facilitating the Zone Masters and keeping back-office in sync with overall assignments.  The MC is also responsible for anything that is presented on the big screen or timing of announcements from the stage (that is kept at minimal).

This document is now available for anyone interested in Iceland and can be freely downloaded here.

• Sækja Handrit Lóðs sem endar fund með niðurstöðu miðað við Ávinning vs. Flækjustig (PDF)

We ended a great conference with a good meeting with Hugh Forrest who is one of the main brain behind this amazing venue. There the opportunity was used to pith our Epic Idea for future SXSW events.

You can see our proposal in the following PDF document, as we really want to embrace open source & transparency. So, let’s keep this in the open.

Here is a summary of the idea.

We truly believe that the incredibly talented crowd attending SXSW would result in a magical and unique SXSW Visioning Assembly session.

SXSW Visioning Assembly would be a collective dialogue with 1.500 members of the SXSW scene. It would both include the keynote speakers, panelists and a random sample of participants.

By using the methodology and processes that we have beta tested on the Icelandic nation for the session, we could build the most amazing datasets from the collective intelligence of the SXSW participants. Many sessions have been organized using it with few on the same scale as are being introduced in this document. All with a great success and regarded as some of the most beautiful and empowering happenings many have ever participated in.

What would be so amazing about an SXSW Assembly is its incredible crowd. When applying the methodologies from this visioning process framework on this crowd we could truly build something very unique.  The method and processes we have developed over that past years are freely available under Creative Common licenses under the name of the Agora Methodology.

It’s about help making the world a bit better

The subject should be open so that it could capture all the incredible ideas the crowd of SXSW may have. Simply; How can we make our world better?

It means that during this event, there is no broadcast type speeches take place at the session. Facilitators are responsible for the flow and overall framework of the assembly.  The participants don’t have to prepare themselves for the meeting and they represent no one but themselves. We all have our unique ideas and views on how to make the world a better place, right?

Facilitators have prepared for the session and been trained in managing the flow. One of the responsibilities of the facilitators is to foster a dynamic brainstorming to bring out as many viewpoints from the participants as possible. Their duty is also to make sure that all feel comfortable, independent and most importantly – that the session is fun!

The discussions are in the form of brainstorming rounds, where everyone has the same right to express ideas. The participants put forth their ideas with short explanations on idea cards. Simplicity is emphasized when going round and round, ensuring everyone an equal relevancy. The beauty in all of this is the actual process and methods the facilitators and session masters use to give the creative chaos a structure.

Practicalities

The session would be for about 1.500 participants. All taking place in a single shared space to create unique atmosphere. The space is divided into 9 zones, each with 18 groups. Each group has 9 members at each table.

The tools used are simple and human – good old pen and paper. Similar as just the PostIt-like notes. Participant also have some tools to use for idea selections like colored dot labels.

But the most important factor for the participants is the simplicity of everything. They just go with the flow, enjoying the dialogue and the opportunity to be heard.

Participation

A total of 1.500 participate in the flow of the session. The optimal model of the Assembly is to have participators dedicated throughout the whole session.

Those that need to leave the session will check-out and be replaced with a check-in of a new member.

Facilitation

The overall facilitation at the Visioning Assembly is very structured and organized as this document indicates. The following roles are under management:

1. Master Facilitator (1) who coordinates with each Zone Master only. The Master Facilitator is the overall master of the ceremony and is responsible for overall timing and any announcements to be introduced including visuals of the assembly.
2. Zone Masters (9) who is each responsible for 18 facilitators. The Zone Master is a master of its zone and all the 18 tables on that zone. The Zone Master communicates any messages from the Master Facilitator to each facilitators and coordinates with them on timing and the process. Each Zone Master is responsible for both selecting and training its 18 facilitators before the assembly.
3. Facilitators (162) are responsible for the flow and facilitation at its table.

The output

With this process SXSW have given the world its gift, a guiding light and inspiration for a new world model. The opportunities on building further on top of this are endless. Especially as all data and the overall methodology is being shared with the rest of the world in open source.

The output of the meeting will be in the form of a summary report and with structural datasets.

• The summary report will include an interactive mind-map that makes it easy to navigate the values, vision and ideas. The report will include a summary from each of the 9 themes based on the sentences from each of the groups.
• Structured datasets include all data relations according to the flow of the assembly. This means that all data will be relational and each entry will have all its relevant raw material interlinked.  The data can be accessed via restful APIs or simply downloaded in text or Excel format.
  • This opens up opportunities for researches or application developers to build applications on top of the annual SXSW World Vision.

To realize this solid output of the assembly a processing session is held right after the meeting with each of the facilitators of the meeting. At this session the data is further categorized, repetitions taken out and ideas that are identical will be joined.

If the Visioning Assembly would take place early during the overall conference, all the physical idea cards could be visually represented in the conference lobby. This would serve as an inspiration to spark new ideas or offer us the opportunity to add more ideas. It could be the perfect food for our brain.

According to the law set by the Parlament in 2010 the National Assembly is to be held in order to call for the public’s viewpoints and points of emphasis regarding the organisation of the country’s government and constitution and its changes. The objective of the meeting is to discuss the future structure of the society and the fundamental issues of the Icelandic Constitution.

The methodology of the meeting shall ensure that the outcome represents the viewpoints of those who attend the meeting, not the organisers’. The responsibility of the facilitators is to make sure that everyone at the table gets an equal opportunity to express himself/herself and to ensure active listening at the table so all viewpoints are heard.

In the first session there are questions about values and visions. We all have our own interpretation of values and visions. Value is a word that contains virtues, emotions and views. We all want to live in a good society, where communication between individuals is to our liking. We also want good rules and laws that form the frame around our communication with each other and with the society’s institutions.

For this to be possible our fundamental legislation, the constitution, must reflect the values and visions that are the basis of good communication and quality of life here in Iceland. This is the main input that we want to get from the first session. What are these values and visions? Core values in relation to the country, the nation and the world.

The participants of the National Assembly are not there as experts in constitutions. However, everyone is an expert in his or her own life vision. The constitution can accommodate to the life vision of the participants as it touches all the fundamental aspects of the society as well as the foundations of the legislation of the republic.

In the second session we start with a simple and open input question: “What do you want to see included in the new Icelandic Constitution?” In order to analyse the input better it may be as important and beneficial to discuss what kind of society we want the new Icelandic Constitution to reflect. It would then be the role of the Constitutional Assembly to perceive this vision and wish from the National Assembly.

The meeting process and the handbook

Agora ehf, that works for the Constitutional Committee is responsible for the management of the flow of the meeting. For further information regarding the process of the meeting contact: Guðjón Már Guðjónsson at gudjon@agora.is.

The publication of this document is subject to the terms of the user licence of Creative Commons Attribution –Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. Authors must be mentioned and the distribution is subject to the same terms in case of reproduction. Changes, further adaptation or new versions must be sent to gudjon@agora.is which makes the data accessible to others, subject to the same terms.

• Download: National Assembly – Facilitators Handbook (Word)

The Facilitators’ Checklist

Arrive in good time for the meeting, well prepared for the work method that is used at the meeting.

The beginning:

• Once at his table, the facilitator has to make sure all the necessary meeting material is there.
• Meet the participants at your table with a smile and assist them as well as you can.
• Don’t take a stand with any of the participants and keep a positive attitude.
• Show the participants that you care about their participation and that their points of view are welcome, important, unquestioned and received.
• The task is to bring out a lot of ideas and therefore all ideas are welcome.
• Ask the participants to have their mobile phones turned off during the meeting. They have opportunities to make phone calls during coffee breaks.
• On every table there is a small bottle of water and a coffee cup for each participant who writes his name on his/her bottle as well as on a white label for the coffee cup. The cups are gifts to the participants.

The discussion, wellbeing and flow at the table

• Start each session by adjusting the expectations with a discussion about the input of the project, the procedure, timing and the output and give the participants an opportunity to express themselves and ask questions as needed.
• Refrain from criticising ideas – all ideas are important in the process.
• Encourage the participants to use the silence to examine their thoughts and express their deepest beliefs.
• The objective is to bring out many and varied ideas.
• Emphasise freedom and independence when it comes to writing down ideas.
• Idea cards may be rewritten and adjusted and they may even be torn if they address different issues on one card.
• Make sure that the participants only write one idea on each card.
• Make sure everyone’s introduction is short. Everyone at the table has the same relevance when the discussion goes round the table.
• Allow questions if someone at the table doesn’t understand the meaning of an idea, but don’t allow any discussions other than the relevant explanation.
• Make an effort to ensure the wellbeing of the participants. Taking off your shoes might be a good idea as well as anything else that makes you feel better.
• Remember to smile throughout the meeting and spread positive energy to others.

Categorising the ideas

• The facilitator categorises while the participants reflect and prepare more ideas. The facilitator is an active listener at all times.
• Take care to have a good work space when categorising the idea cards.
• Clear the table regularly in order to make space.

By Gudjon Mar Gudjonsson, Agora.

When the organisation of a National Assembly is mentioned, it is usually the ideology behind the flow of the meeting, the creative thinking and the democratic dialogue of the participants that the reference is made to.

A National Assembly is based on the absolute impartiality of everyone concerned. This means that no speeches or coercion of topics take place at the meeting itself. Instead, previously trained facilitators are responsible for the flow of the discussion and the agenda on their tables. The participants don’t have to prepare themselves for the meeting and they represent no one but themselves.

It is assumed that all the facilitators have been trained in managing the flow of the meeting. Individuals who are trained in human relations and have a positive attitude towards life, are chosen for this job.

One of the responsibilities of the facilitators is to bring out as many viewpoints from the participants as possible, make certain that they are comfortable and feel independent and have a positive attitude.

The main purpose of the announcers or chairmen is to create tranquillity. Therefore, there are almost no announcements or direct chairing at this meeting. The communication between the facilitators and the announcers is composed and with a minimum disruption.

The basis of the methodology of the National Assembly is to always use discussion rounds (brainstorming), where everyone has the same right to express his ideas. The participants put forth their ideas with short explanations on small cards. Simplicity is emphasised when going round and round, ensuring everyone an equal relevancy.

The key element of the National Assembly is to start the meetings by creating a frame of mind with a discussion about the attitudes, values or visions that the subject is based upon. As an example if a meeting is about the constitution, a question would be asked about what should be the core values in a new constitution. This discussion on values is an icebreaker for the meeting and creates trust between the participants.

At the end of the first half the participants select the core values by democratic voting. The conclusions from all the tables are given to the chairmen of the meeting who group them in a certain way and find which values or visions are predominant at the meeting. The overall conclusion of the meeting on the core values is then announced. This creates faith on behalf of the participants in the methodology of the National Assembly, right from the beginning.

Formulations and discussions about the proposals of the idea card, start in the second half of the meeting. It is important that the question is simple, clear and that it allows the participants to grasp the subject totally. When discussing the future vision of a nation one could ask; “How do you want to see the Icelandic society in the future?”, and when discussing the constitution one can ask; “What is important to include in the constitution of Iceland?” etc.

Free discussion creates an atmosphere at the meeting. The participants always decide which topics they want to bring forward, at any time. That enables them to work at their own speed and deliver their proposals as they choose. It is easy to put forward ideas with reference to visions or values from the first part of the meeting. This gives the participants a convenient framework in which to work.

The facilitator always serves the table the best he can and helps with the grouping of the proposals, in close cooperation with the participants. The facilitators never discuss individual topics or take a stand for or against the participants’ proposals. The facilitator makes sure that the participants at the table agree on the categorisation on the table which is automatically formulated by the grouping. The facilitator makes sure that acceptable category titles are formulated on the table.

Towards the end of the first part of the meeting the back office has processed the data from the discussions about values and visions. The final themes of the National Assembly have thus been formulated. This method ensures that the meeting itself formulates the themes instead of them being prescribed or created by a small number of specialists. This generates trust and demonstrates that it is the participants themselves who are in control.

The participants now start a discussion about how the proposals of the idea card can best be tied in with our values and visions. This creates depth in the discussion where everyday discussions about ideas are now tied into our attitude towards life and our basic values. This will also result in an open discussion which will be directed at several themes.

In the next session of the meeting the guests have had lunch and the areas and tables have been re-grouped according to the themes. The participants all go to a new table except one person who stays behind. Everyone goes to a table where there is a stack of values cards.

At the new table the participants help each other to group the proposals on the table. This work creates new sub-categories. The same method is always used throughout the meeting and the facilitator makes sure all the participants at the table are active in categorising in a clear way as well as deepening the discussion even more.

After the participants have come to an agreement about a clear and substantial structure of the main themes on the table, the next task can be addressed. Every participant will choose the priorities he feels are most important as well as mark the issues he finds new and important. By marking new items, ideas are brought forward that could renew and bring in positive, fresh currents into the Icelandic society. This could create an opportunity for a new approach, a new way of thinking or a change from old ways.

The participants will complete this task by formulating a statement on each table. The statement is to include the most important items in the theme that was being worked on, items that people feel should characterise the constitution of the Icelandic republic. When this has been done all the data is collected on each table and a special caution is used to save all connections that have shaped the data at the meeting.

The participants now go back to their home group, each one having worked with a different theme. At the home table the participants discuss the main conclusions from their workgroups. This creates provisions and proposals for one of the final products of the meeting which are recommendations or requests to the Constitutional Assembly and other parties, such as the government, the media, grassroots movements etc. The participants formulate their recommendations according to what they think is most important to keep in mind when continuing the work (at the constitution) both with regard to the discussion at the meeting and their opinions in general.

The meeting is brought to an end with announcements and a summary of the conclusions of the meeting.

However, the employees of the meeting will continue their work and have a work meeting where the proposals will be grouped, repetitions will be taken out and ideas that are identical will be joined. Therefore it will be possible to introduce the main conclusions of the meeting already the next day.

Video introduction from the grassroots organised National Assembly in 2009 by the Anthill, Iceland:

Summary of tasks, objectives and the timetable

Arrival and refreshments. From 8:15 – 9:00

Introduction and expectations at the tables. From 9:00 – 9:20

1^st session 45 min. Values and visions of the constitution. Time 9:20 – 10:05

The objectives of this session are twofold: On the one hand to find out what visions or values we want to be the foundation of the Icelandic Constitution. On the other hand to unite the participants from the beginning and create a positive atmosphere.

Voting – Selecting the values. 10 min. Time 10:05 – 10:15

2^nd session: 70 min. The content of the new constitution.  Time 10:30 – 11:40

The objective of this session is to call for the participants’ proposals for the content of the new constitution. The participants put forth their ideas about specific issues which they think the constitution should contain or address.

Lunch. 45 min. Time 11:40 – 12:25

3^rd session: 30 min. Categorising the themes.  Time 12:25 – 12:55

The objective in this session is to categorise the ideas about the content of the new constitution into themes which have been created from the values that came out of the first session of the meeting.

4^th session: 15 min. A visit to new tables and personal introductions.  Time 12:55 – 13:10

Each participant at the table gets one theme which he/she will bring over to a new table with new people who are addressing the same theme.

5^th session: 30 min. Categorising and uniting repeated ideas.  Time 13:10 – 13:40

The objective in this session is to summarise the overall input within the theme. This is done by grouping, taking repetitions from different tables and starting to build up a theme with a new categorisation.

6^th session: 20 min. Specialisation, discussion and deepening.  Time 13:40 – 14:00

The objective of this session is to deepen the discussion into the theme and make sure nothing is left out.

7^th session: 20 min. Main emphases and a new way of thinking. Time 14:00 – 14:20

The objective with this session is to find out, with a simple voting, on the one hand the main points of emphasis and on the other hand a new way of thinking.

8^th session: 5 min. Notes taken of the results from each theme.  Time 14:20 – 14:25

The objective of this session is to make a note of the main results of the table, based on the input that prevailed in the voting.

Coffee break. 15 min. Time 14:25 – 14:40

9^th session: 20 min. Writing sentences and finish.  Time 14:40 – 15:00

The objective of this session is to write a strong sentence about the main input of the relevant theme, taking into account the recent voting.  At the end of the assembly the sentence may be read out loud for all the participants.

A short break. 10 min. Time 15:00 – 15:10

10^th session: 20 min. Back to the home-table. Time 15:10 – 15:30

The objective in this session is to bring out information from each participant about the discussions and results from the theme each of them discussed.

11^th session: 40 min. Recommendations and requests.  Time 15:30 – 16:10

The objective of this session is to bring out recommendations, advice or requests for the people who will continue and finish the work towards the forming of a new constitution.   The cards reflect the topics that the participants consider the most important guidelines for the continuing work for a new constitution.

12^th session: 40 min. Presentations, evaluations and roundup. 16:10 – 16:50

The objective in this session is to help the participants at the National Assembly get a better understanding and knowledge of the work that has been done since the morning.

13^th session: Closing session and canapés with music. 17:00 – 18:00

• Download this summary in Word (.DOC)
• MindMap National Assembly 2010 Summary (.ZIP)

The assembly process gave us the following 8 themes:

Full screen mindmap

Summary from each theme

COUNTRY AND NATION – Values and related issues regarding the independence of the country, culture and its advantages such as vision, the value of the Icelandic language and the country’s rural areas.

The constitution is a covenant which ensures sovereignty and independence for Icelanders and is written for the people in the country. The role of the constitution is to guard the Icelandic language, its culture and the nation’s resources. It should be introduced in schools and it must be guaranteed that the public can have a say in decisions regarding national affairs. The image of Iceland shall be strengthened, multiculturalism encouraged as well as separation between state and religion.

MORALITY – General moral values without special connection with government or politics such as honesty, respect, responsibility, tolerance, justice and sympathy.

The constitution shall be based on moral values. The morality theme of the new constitution shall be respect for humans, freedom of speech and consideration. An emphasis shall be on the honesty of elected representatives, public officials, laws and legal ethics.  To strengthen and improve the morality of the nation, ethics should be taught in the country’s schools and the social responsibility of the public must be increased. In Iceland a clear framework must be set up by which the authorities must work, focusing on respect, responsibility and duties towards the country’s people.

HUMAN RIGHTS – Values that are the basis or go hand in hand with accepted human rights such as equality, freedom of speech, education, religious freedom and right of ownership.

Everyone shall enjoy human rights according to international covenants on human rights that Iceland has promised to honour, such as freedom of speech, personal privacy, religious freedom and the right of ownership. Equality shall be guaranteed by law regardless of gender, religion, nationality, race, residence and sexual orientation. Everyone shall have the same opportunity for education, health care and minimum essentials of living. Each vote shall have equal value.

JUSTICE, WELLBEING AND EQUALITY – Values and related issues regarding general justice, wellbeing and equality in relation to education, health and essentials of living etc.

All persons in the country shall be ensured a decent livelihood regardless of gender, race, age, residence, work, nationality, religious belief, financial situation, handicap, sexual orientation or opinions. Everyone shall have equal right to minimum essentials of living, education, health care and social service. Everyone shall have rights to pension benefits. The value of votes shall be equal and the penal code clear.

THE NATURE OF ICELAND, CONSERVATION AND UTILISATION – Values and related issues regarding the environment, including natural resources, such as conservation of the environment and public property.

The nature and the country’s natural resources are unassignable public properties that must be protected, used and utilised sustainably in such a way that public access is ensured.  Clear laws must be enacted regarding the nation’s ownership and utilisation rights of natural resources, nature and biosphere. Icelandic nature and resources must be protected to the benefit of future generations.

DEMOCRACY – Values and related issues of any kind relating to the nation’s participation in governing the country, such as referendum and voting rights. Also values related to prerequisites for democracy, such as communication of information.

Iceland’s democracy shall be active and transparent. The value of votes shall be equal in one constituency, elections of individual candidates, limited time of membership of parliament and fewer members of parliament. The democracy shall be based on the triple division of power and clear laws on referendum in important issues. The appointment of judges shall be reconsidered. Only voters with equal voting value can amend the constitution.

DIVISION OF POWER, RESPONSIBILITY AND TRANSPARENCY – Values and related issues regarding general development of the state and the use of state authority such as division of power, transparency and stability. Also values (and related issues) regarding the work of individual institutions and the holders of state authority and their responsibility.

The triple division of power must be guaranteed where the role and responsibility of the authorities is clear. Ministers shall not serve as members of parliament along with their ministry post. The constitution should guarantee transparency and supervision of the country’s administration. Professional methods shall be used when recruiting people for the administrational positions. The power of the President of Iceland shall be reconsidered and a decision shall be made regarding his veto. There should be a time limit to the membership of parliament. The independence of the courts shall be guaranteed.

PEACE AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION – Values and related issues regarding Iceland’s position in the international community, such as security, peace and impartiality.

Iceland shall be an independent and sovereign state which emphasises cooperation with other nations, especially in northern regions. Iceland shall be an advocate of peace and shall engage in international cooperation with that purpose. The security of the country shall be guaranteed. Iceland shall participate in cooperation in protecting nature, self-sustaining use of natural resources, protection of human rights and development aid.  Iceland shall be without an army and free of nuclear arms.

Following the Assembly, Agora has published many of the documents that covers the methodology and the facilitation framework.

This documentation is available in Icelandic for anyone interested from the following page:

• Þjóðfundur um Stjórnarskrá