Local 4 Global

OSDE - Open Space for Dialogue and Enquiry

What is OSDE?
Open Space for Dialogue and Enquiry (OSDE) is a successful methodology for the creation of spaces for critical thinking and discussion about global issues which has been used in a variety of educational settings in the UK, Brazil, New Zealand and elsewhere.
OSDE methodology supports the creation of open safe spaces for dialogue and enquiry about global issues and perspectives focusing on interdependence.
In these spaces, people are invited to engage critically with their own and with different perspectives, think independently and make informed and responsible decisions about how they want to think and what they want to do.
OSDE methodology offers a set of procedures and suggested ground rules that can be adapted to different age groups and contexts. The key is to create spaces where people gather together to listen and transform themselves - learning and unlearning together, re-inventing ways of relating to one another and imagining other possible futures.
Materials on the OSDE website currently include activities on:
Water, Food, Gender, Justice, Sustainability, Terrorism, Perceptions of North and South and Oppression and Domination.

What we have been doing:

• Running INSET on OSDE for teachers across London - The purpose of these training sessions is to introduce teachers to the background to the methodology and to explain how OSDE resources can be used in the classroom to facilitate the development of critical and independent thinking.

• Inviting primary teachers around London to trial the primary materials on the OSDE website:  Teachers at Thomas Fairchild School in Hackney have been using the material with Years 5 and 6.

• Developing further materials for the Primary section of the OSDE website on: Conflict, Homophobia and Consumerism.

• Including training sessions on OSDE as part of input on ITE courses at universities across London.

• Including training session on OSDE as part of CPD offered to Citizenship teachers from boroughs across London.

Click here for our video of OSDE's presentation on Critical Literacy in Global Citizenship Education