Liberating Voices Inquiry

From civicintelligence

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I've seen the Liberating Voices pattern language used to great effect in workshop settings for college students. In a short period of time working with the pattern cards small groups are able to express to each other their concepts of the task at hand and begin speaking about it with shared understanding. The patterns form a common ground and brings up important issues relating to the project.

But, are the patterns suitable for a non-academic project? Do the patterns provide the same common ground starting point for a community in generational poverty, or from a different culture? Would individuals coming from different backgrounds and education levels benefit from the same type of unifying effect the patterns have on groups, or would different ideas of the patterns meanings infuse confusion in the process of working with the patterns?