What's the most important question in the world today?
You've sent us your most important questions!! Thank you!! We narrowed them down to 50. Now help us select the 10 most important questions in the world today by placing your vote! The top ten will be announced February 29!
Good question. Can you take ten more minutes to help us find that question, the one that will direct the attention of thousands of participants around the world during Conversation Week 2008? Imagine a circle of eight thoughtful, sincere and inquiring people, ready to explore a stimulating and important question for the next 90 minutes. What question or questions would you suggest to such a willing group of minds and hearts?
We are asking "Big Talk" enthusiasts from around the world to vote on the 50 questions we've selected from the hundreds of submissions we received.
Our goal isn't answers - it's engagement. We want to give participants a chance to think together about topics consequential to our common future. How such a deep dialogue will change them - or the course of history - is unknown, but we believe that all great change begins in conversation.
Are you willing? Use the criteria below to hone your rating. Rate them according to what you believe people want and need to talk about.
We will post the top ten questions February 29!
Last year we developed the following guidance for what makes a good question. Use it as you craft yours - be it for Conversation Week or for your ongoing Conversation Café or even for your mate when something is troubling you.
A good question for dialogue is:
• Open , without embedded cultural, political or ideological assumptions.
• Inviting both head and heart. People can respond with both their feelings and their thoughts.
• Honest . It has not already been answered conclusively - yet finding an answer is crucial to moving forward.
• Experiential. People can if they choose tell a story or recall an experience that relates to the question.
• Inclusive. Anyone at the table could have something valuable to say - whatever age, race, gender, education level.
• Generative. Can't be answered with a "yes" or "no" or a platitude.
• Relevant. Even though broad, applies to many of the real issues we each and all face.
Here is a link to the 2007 set of questions. We'd suggest you work a bit on your "most important question in the world today" before peeking at last year's because the very quest for a question will really work your dialogue muscles.
Remember, place your vote by February 28, 2008.