The Art of Hosting and Harvesting Conversations that Matter
How can we build trust and relationships across our differences for meaningful change to take root, grow and flourish?
November 12th-14th 2025.
Ashburnham Place – East Sussex, England
Why Now?
Difference is a beautiful thing. In difference we discover ourselves; it is the mirror that helps us see our own uniqueness better; it is a journey of exploration, an opportunity to build connection and grow beyond our own limited perspective.
Difference can also be used to generate mistrust and fear. It can be used to polarise opinion, fragment relationships, and cause us to retreat into the safety of what we think we know, and what we think we can control.
Looking at the living world around us we see that difference abounds. This diversity is a celebration of abundance, of fullness and flourishing. The complexity of life is held together through connection and relationships, whether that be plants and insects interacting in a garden, or mycelial networks connecting life together underground.
Humans often have a tendency to simplify these complexities, trying to make life understandable and controllable. We shy away from difference, and retreat into monocultural safety, hollowing out the joyousness of life, and destroying the richness of relationships in the process. This is the same story ecologically as it is socially and politically.
Many of the issues and challenges we face today arise from the way we see the world, as a resource to be exploited, or a problem to be solved. For centuries the Western world has operated on a mechanistic mindset, focused on the individual, on what we can analyse, understand and control. This has led to many wonderful advances, and it has also led to a disregard of relationship, complexity, and the very interconnected fabric of existence.
As we move into the future, attempting to navigate the ecological, social and political polycrisis we face, new mindsets and ways of being can invite us into the unknown; invite us into trust; and invite us into relationship with each other and the world around us. They can enable us to rediscover ways of being and thinking that invite participation across our diversity, to see each other, listen to one another, and to act together out of our collective intelligence.
“Individuals have great intelligence, and although the intelligence of a group is greater than an individual, it is nothing until it is created.”
Peter Senge
What is the Art of Hosting & Harvesting Conversations That Matter?
The Art of Hosting and Harvesting Conversations that Matter is an evolving way of being, thinking and doing that embraces diversity and seeks to nurture relationships across those differences. It is a practice that invites us to listen deeply, and through meaningful conversations, build trust with one another to enable wise action together into the future. It is a practice emerging from the paradigm shift towards a living systems perspective that is essential in helping us seek ways through the complex challenges we collectively face from climate breakdown, to rising inequality, to increasing political polarisation.
This training is an invitation to explore a practice that can build trust and relationships, that can help us bring people together to flourish; a practice that can go to work in our lives, communities, and organisations to grow connections and seek wise ways forward together. This training is an invitation to step into a living systems way of being and thinking that can enable us to welcome differences and grow trust in ourselves, each other, and the world around us.
Who Is It For?
- Everyone who cares about having conversations together that build trust and connection across differences, including:
- Coaches, consultants, and organisational developers
- Community builders, social innovators, and movement organisers
- Changemakers navigating systems change and transformation
- Business leaders, managers and team members seeking more collaborative ways of working
- Public sector and NGO professionals working on complex challenges
- Facilitators, educators, and participatory process designers
What Will You Gain/Learn?
In a highly experiential setting, you will explore and practice methods, models, and process design frameworks and techniques that enable strategic collaboration, allowing diverse or even conflicting perspectives to generate new beginnings and strengthen relationships, including:
- Hosting meaningful conversations and harvesting collective insights
- Self-hosting to navigate challenging or vulnerable spaces
- Integrating participatory and collective leadership into your context
- Applying ‘Art of Hosting and Harvesting’ methods such as Open Space Technology, The World Café and Chaordic Design
- Designing collaborative initiatives that address complex societal challenges
- Viewing systems through a living systems lens to adapt to an ever-changing world
- Navigating complexity, conflict, and emergence with practical models
You will also join a local and global network of practitioners dedicated to co-creating new living and working systems.
AoH Pedagogy
This training offers a dynamic and hands-on learning environment—an experimental space for building trust and fostering collaboration across differences.
Participants will be introduced to sensemaking models and theories of complexity, while actively practicing collective leadership. Through facilitated sessions and coaching, you will have the opportunity to take part in hosting and harvesting processes that deepen engagement and learning.
You're invited to bring your own ideas, projects, and challenges to explore with others — co-creating solutions and identifying practical ways to apply the insights in your own context beyond the training.
Together, we’ll create a participatory and supportive space to connect with like-minded peers, share experiences, and grow collective understanding. Drawing inspiration from Living Systems, we’ll explore new leadership approaches rooted in interconnection, collaboration, and self-organisation around shared purpose, nurturing collective well-being.
The Training Team
Mira Bangel
Mira is a strategic advisor and host working at the intersection of organisational development, systems change, and collaboration. Based between Spain, Brussels and Germany, she brings over 15 years of international experience helping teams and institutions navigate complexity, align around purpose, and lead change with clarity and impact. Her work combines participatory leadership, systems thinking, and regenerative practice to support forward-thinking organisations in the public, private, and social sectors. She partners with EU bodies, NGOs, consultancies, and mission-driven companies to design transformative processes, strengthen collaboration, and unlock collective intelligence.
Jose Barco
José is a community organiser, facilitator, and social entrepreneur based in Bristol, UK. With over a decade of experience in participatory leadership and grassroots mobilisation, he supports communities and organisations to build power, foster collaboration, and drive systemic change.
As founder of Community CoLab and co-founder of Community Organisers Ltd, he brings a grounded, creative approach that blends organising, facilitation, and permaculture-inspired design to catalyse local and collective action.
Jon Dorsett
Jon is a visual facilitator and participatory engagement practitioner based in Leeds, Yorkshire. With 25 years of experience supporting activists and changemakers in learning, reflection, and engagement, his work bridges inner psycho-spiritual exploration with outer socio-political action. He specialises in creating rehumanising spaces and visual resources that inspire authentic participation.
Jon has been an Art of Hosting & Harvesting practitioner since 2011, working in collaborative settings across community, public, and private sectors within the UK and Europe. His experience includes partnerships with EU and UK government institutions, the NHS, local authorities, NGOs, and community and business organisations.
Sue Hoey
Sue Hoey is a freelance facilitator, coach and community development practitioner based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. With extensive experience in participatory engagement and project implementation & evaluation, she supports organisations and communities to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaborative action.
Sue works predominantly with communities and in the Third Sector, with a passion to support people to make significant shifts in the meaning they have of themselves, their place in the world and what is genuinely possible for them in life. She has three teenage sons and has spent many years practicing the art of balancing paid work & being a mum.
Phil Marken
Phil is a CEDR-accredited mediator and an ICF-enrolled professional and executive coach. His work focuses on hosting and crafting learning spaces across the UK, Ireland, and Europe for public and third sectors, activists, and community champions. He is passionate about social business, youth leadership, the arts, and climate action.
Phil Marken is an innovator, Art of Hosting practitioner, and dedicated facilitator based in Leeds, UK. As the founder and director of Open Source Arts, he brings over 15 years of experience in the events industry, supporting creative individuals and communities to realise their ambitions and foster collaboration.
Practicalities
The Venue
With the training starting early on the Wednesday morning, (and people likely to be travelling from across the country and beyond) accommodation is also included for the Tuesday night.
The nearest train station to the venue is Battle, and taxis can be booked from Battle to Ashburnham (we will also do our best to support pick-ups on the Tuesday early evening).
The training is residential and will take place at Ashburnham Place in East Sussex (Ashburnham Place, Battle TN33 9NF https://www.ashburnham.org.uk/. Ashburnham is a beautiful country estate retreat and conference centre with wonderful grounds, woods, and lakes to explore. As a place of hospitality, Ashburnham is very much part of our hosting team inviting you to relax and enjoy the space together.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation is in a mixture of ensuite and standard rooms (with shared bathrooms). Rooms will be single by default, but a discount is available for sharing. We are aware that people may have individual circumstances that will require specific accommodation options, so please do let us know if you have specific needs.
Dates & Timings
The training takes place from 9am on Wednesday the 12th of November through to 4.30pm on Friday 14th November 2025. Accommodation is also included for the evening of Tuesday 11th from 6pm (though you will need to make your own arrangements for dinner before arrival at Ashburnham).
Our days will run through to around 5pm on the Wednesday and Thursday, with coaching taking place each evening for those stepping into hosting practice the following day. There will also be time for walking, relaxing, creative celebration together, and for those brave souls who dare, lake swimming!
Whats the investment?
Whats Included?
- Training team of 5 seasoned hosts
- 3 nights accommodation (Tue 11th to Fri 14th November)
- Breakfast, Lunch (Wed, Thur, Fri)
- Evening Dinner (Wed, Thur)
- Snacks and refreshments throughout
- Printed Art of Hosting Workbook
- A welcome into a global community of practitioners!
Transport to and from Ashburnham Place is not included (though we will endeavour to enable self-organised lift shares between participants ahead of the training).
Cost + Contribution options
We are taking a shared economy approach to this training, spreading the contributions between participants in as equitable a way as possible, with those coming from well-resourced places offering more so that those who may need support to access the training are able to. We therefore have a tiered level of payment as follows…
- Organisations – £1600
- Small Organisations/ Consultants – £1100
- Individuals – £800
- An early bird rate of £750 for individuals applies to bookings made before the 30th ofJune.
Support others to take part:
We would also warmly invite contributions from anyone who would like to support others to take part, but may not be able to join this training themselves. Do get in touch if you would be interested in doing this. We also want to be open and transparent about the economy of the training, so if you would like to see the budget and talk with us about it, please do be in touch.
Supported places – We are obviously needing to cover the costs associated with this training, while also aware that for some finance may be a barrier to participation. We are holding open a limited number of reduced cost places for those that need them. If money is a barrier to participation for you, please do get in touch with us at aohashburnham@gmail.com for a conversation.’
Discounts:
- Organisations receive a 10% discount for bookings of 3 or more places, and individuals will receive a 5% discount if booked together with a friend!
- A £50 discount is applied for anyone who requests a shared room.
Payment by Instalments:
There is an option to pay the training in up to 4 monthly deposits as long as the full amount has been paid by the 24th of October.
Payment by card:
Our preferred method of payment is by bank transfer, though card payment is possible with payment of the banking fee (3% for individuals).
Refunds Policy
Our refund policy is as follows.
Cancellations with more than 12 weeks notice will receive a full refund (minus a 5% admin fee). 12 to 6 weeks notice 25% cancellation fee. 6 to 2 weeks 50% cancellation fee. Within 2 weeks full cost payment. If you can no longer make it and can find someone else to transfer your place to, no fees will be charged.