Rural Europe on the move English_chap7_13 | Page 34

CHAPTER 9
10a. 10b. Fishbowl session at 30 years anniversary
of the association Ökologisch Wirtschaften!, 2018
“We enjoy being islanders and we
enjoy looking beyond the dikes into
FISHBOWL SESSION
a future which needs change in our
relations,” says the young navigator The fishbowl session is a moderation technique often used by FS,
Tore Zetl. He looks forward to being especially during its big meetings, in order to bridge the ‘power-
the captain on Pellworm ferry soon, gap’ between local, national and European actors. It consists of
is married to a young woman from an inner circle of participants actively involved in the discussion,
the French Drôme region and is a which is surrounded by the wider audience. Participants from the
member of the steering group on outer circle can in turn move to the inner circle and get involved in
future perspectives for Pellworm the debate. The debate goes beyond the classical panel discussion
community. “Our parents have and becomes participative. Additional rules of the game help to
achieved a lot, but there is still much to overcome the known patterns of conflicts, like an obligation for all
do to keep our island community afloat participants to frame their contribution by constructive proposals:
to cope with the many challenges”, “I need support in.....” and “I can offer....”. Especially in political
he says. His two brothers work as an debates, such rules for constructive dialogue help to create a
organic farmer and a fisherman on the dynamic well beyond stereotyped statements, accusations and
island. destructive rhetoric.
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