Introduction

Misinformation and disinformation have the potential to damage personal and community relationships, thereby having a serious effect on how we cooperate with others. World Café provides an opportunity to explore ideas and suggestions on a focused topic in a facilitated environment. World Café is a way of applying good practice to listening and giving our opinion when working in a group. It is also a technique for generating details or clarity on ideas, in order to reach collective solutions.

The objective of this activity is to understand causes, impacts and mitigation of misinformation and disinformation.

Instructions
  • Write the following questions on three separate flip charts;
  • Group A: Causes - What gives rise to misinformation or disinformation?
  • Group B: Impact - What are the impacts of misinformation or disinformation on cooperation?
  • Group C: Mitigation - What can be done to minimize the spread of misinformation or disinformation that hinders cooperation?
  • Display the three flip charts to the participants on three separate tables.
  • Appoint a table host to each group, who will remain stationed at the table throughout the activity.
  • Invite participants to walk around and read the three questions and pick their preferred table.
  • Ask participants to brainstorm on the question within their chosen group.
  • Instruct the table host to note down all the ideas and suggestions given by the group members on the flip chart.
  • Inform participants that they are required to change the groups every 10 minutes when the facilitator requests so.
  • Continue the process until everyone had the opportunity to share ideas in all three groups.
  • Instruct the table host to display the flip chart and summarize what was been discussed to the larger group.
Reflections
  • What are the examples or personal experiences where misinformation or disinformation affected cooperation between people?
  • Optional: Can misinformation or disinformation be circulated with a good intention? What are such examples?
  • Can misinformation or disinformation create positive outcomes? What are such examples?
  • Can cooperation counter misinformation or disinformation?