Interrelating Viewpoints in Complex Meetings

This note responds to the problem encountered in meetings of many kinds when a complex of interrelated issues is discussed by participants having very different standpoints and approaches. Usually each participant's contribution is received politely, but very little is achieved towards linking it to others presented, especially when the papers and presentations are lengthy and somewhat difficult to digest. No satisfactory integrating perspective exists (a) to guide the evolution of the meeting; (b) to help participants to see the points of agreement and disagreement in context, or (c) to show participants what they have achieved (or failed to achieve). The note outlines a proposed method for maintaining and developing, during the course of a meeting, a visual representation or overview of the basic substantive points which are determining the evolution of the meeting (**). The method is presented here in a way which permits one or more different methods of representation to be selected for use on a particular occasion, depending on need. Type of meeting The display envisaged should be useful for a wide variety of meetings in a small group meeting (possibly within the meeting room as a wall display or on a blackboard) in a small conference (possibly located in the foyer, if not in the plenary room) in a large conference (in the foyer). In this description it is envisaged that the display could be used in : scientific meetings, in which «rational », « factual » presentations are made programme-oriented meetings, in which an attempt is being made to elaborate a programme of action other kinds of meetings, in which much greater emphasis may be placed on values, insights, people-participation, experiences, etc.