What is working?

Appreciative Inquiry training in Amman

By Lise Olivarius, Communication & Information Assistant - Amman, Jordan

14. July 2011

The atmosphere is quiet and pensive on the fourth and last day of the Appreciative Inquiry Training at the Global Platform in Amman. Laid back but concentrated, the approximately twenty participants from Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Egypt are listening with closed eyes to the calming melody streaming from the trainer’s laptop. Kristian, who is facilitating the workshop, is improvising his sessions according to the mood and following the atmospheric flow.

 “I feel like we all need a passive and relaxing activity at this point”, he explains. After the musical intermezzo, the participants are standing up and getting together in small, buzzing clusters for a group exercise. The assignment is to produce an appreciative inquiry guide.

 “Remember, only positive notes”, exhorts a smiling Kristian, “nothing negative. Offer constructive suggestions. And remember to start out by thanking the other.”

 Appreciative Inquiry is an organizational development method that excels by its uncompromisingly positive approach to the world. It builds on strengths and successes rather than weaknesses and failures – an approach that is often referred to as asset-based. The philosophy behind Appreciative Inquiry is that by focusing on positive aspects and strengths, relationships and conditions are automatically improved and strengthened. Problems are dealt with indirectly through the address of their positive counterpart. An appreciative way of inquiring is not “What is wrong?”, but “What is working?”.

 “This is one of the best trainings I have been involved with”, says Kristian, coach and process consultant specialized in Appreciative Inquriy, with characteristic zest. “I have met a fervent curiosity and a great willingness to try new things. We quickly became close, like a family.”

The Global Platform in Amman has already implemented the method of Appreciative Inquiry in their trainings. “I have already used Appreciative Inquiry at an International Leader Training Seminar in Lebanon”, says Abed, an experienced ActionAid trainer. “But I have acquired new tools during this training, and I have especially benefitted from the thought exchange with the other participants”.

 The participants came with a wide variety of backgrounds. To Mai from Madrasati Palestine in Jerusalem, the introduction to Appreciative Inquiry has been an untrodden and eye-opening path:

 “This is a new and interesting approach for me. When I’m working with school committees at home, I can use it for capacity building and basic life skills training. I can improve both my own and others’ potential by integrating these new tools in our workshops.”

 

Read more about the Global Platform in Jordan.