Embedded Files
February 9 (the second Monday of the month) is the 139th meeting for Systems Thinking Ontario. This will be an online session. Registration information is at https://guild.host/events/conversation-as-process-r2dlt5
Conversation as Process and Connection
Conversation as Process and Connection
In an era dominated by communication technologies, in which ways do we (or don't we) experience meaningful contact with other people?
Bela H. Banathy developed a Conversation methodology as a process of deep learning that is both generative and strategic. These systems inquiries involve a multidisciplinary practice beginning with months of preparation, leading to a five-day immersive event, followed by cocreation of proceedings reflecting on the experience. The learning becomes a resource for continuing dialogue, and an impetus for subsequent initiatives.
Conversations were conducted by the International Federation for Systems Research from 1982 to 2016 in Austria. Most recently, Banathy Conversations were restarted by the CSRP Institute in Lugano in fall 2024, and in Iowa in spring 2025. Plans are underway for a Conversation event hosted by the sLab at OCADU in May 2026.
20250209_ST-ON_Metcalf_ConversationAnIntroduction.pdfSession Leaders
Session Leaders
Gary S. Metcalf led facilitation of many of the Conversations for the IFSR, and for the CSRP Institute. His PhD in Organizational Systems was conferred by Saybrook University, under the supervision of Bela H. Banathy. He served as the president of the International Federation for Systems Research (2010-2016), and the International Society for the Systems Sciences (2007-2008). He has been an instructor of Saybrook University, the Federal Executive Institute, and Aalto University.
David Ing was appointed as an Adjunct Professor in Graduate Studies at OCAD University, and has been collaborating on invigoration of the sLab. He served as president of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (2011-2012). He graduated from IBM after 28 years of service.
Registration
Registration
This session will be conducted over Zoom. Pre-register with your name and email address.
Feb 9, 2026 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/7szz8GQBRMKpb-cvGab4GA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Suggested pre-readings / audio / video
Suggested pre-readings / audio / video
Dyer, Gordon, Jed Jones, Gordon Rowland, and Silvia Zweifel. 2015. “The Banathy Conversation Methodology.” Constructivist Foundations 11 (1): 42–50. http://constructivist.info/11/1/042
Metcalf, Gary S. 2015. “A Constructivist Perspective on Banathy’s Conversation Methodology.” Constructivist Foundations 11 (1): 53–54. http://constructivist.info/11/1/053
Nelson, Harold G. 2004. “Bela H. Banathy: The Legacy of a Design Conversation.” Systems Research and Behavioral Science 21 (3): 261–68. https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.620.
Agenda
Agenda
Image: Dialogue CC-BY Matthias Ripp (2017)
Post-meeting artifacts
Post-meeting artifacts
Bloggers are encouraged to write about their learning and experiences at the meeting. Links will be added to this page.
Google Sites
Report abuse