Our discussion on Organizing participatory and interactive events brought together a variety of experiences from different regions. Here are some of the main topics that were discussed during the two weeks of online conversation:

- The peer assist technique as one of the more revealing methodologies for interactive sessions, bringing people together to share their experiences, insights and knowledge on an identified challenge or problem. Peer assist has proven to be very powerful when well prepared. Precisely, as many other interactive methodologies, a lot of preparation time is required to create an enabling environment and a well conducted discussion.

- Both participatory and panels/presentations work in different, specific contexts. Panels and presentations work very well when the intention is to showcase some experiences, or outcomes that you know will be of great value to the audience. Presentations also work well to initiate a discussion, provided there is enough time for other participants to express their views and contribute.

- Open Space Technology provides participants an opportunity to co-create agenda of the event. It gives opportunity for people to think about what care about and matters them most. In this way, it promotes participatory approach where participants have their influence in planning the flow of the sessions.

- The World Cafe technique provides an opportunity in which participants are invited to take part in conversation rounds exploring one theme. It is effective to identify issues and main ideas around a general topic.

- Cultural differences are relevant for the application of interactive methodologies.For example some cultures have more hierarchical relationships and it may be hard for more senior members of a group, or the usual "experts", to be in the listener role.

- In multicultural and multilingual situations it is more important to give people an opportunity to express themselves in different ways - through exercises, use of graphics, small group break outs, movement and body work.

- Wikis were described as a good platform for documenting interactive session outcomes of the open space feather group discussions. If not a finished product, a wiki provides quick access to session notes and something to take home.

- Language can be one of the most important challenges of multicultural sessions. Experience indicates that facilitation is better done by a native speaker of the local language. Simultaneous translation works on very specific ocassions. However, many other limitations surface when trying to break out groups or have informal exchanges in different languages.

- A lot of the learning happens by listening to people, especially those who are not used to talk. Illiteracy may appear a barrier, but experience is something that can be drawn only from practitioners and local knowledge.

- An online consultation can clarify and enrich the program before an event. It helps to create a basic program draft and clarify expectations from the participants.

- Appointing chairs, leaders or moderators for each breakout group is important in terms of documentation, report back and good flow of the session.

- Using games and roleplays is a good tool for training. Not just using existing games and roleplays, but also making new ones by deconstructing a learning situation and giving the participants control. Games and simulations should be adapted to the particular context and participant group to avoid reticence and involve everyone.

- Key features of good participatory sessions are:
Good moderation and facilitation
Clarity of concept, purpose and expected outcomes of the session
All participants are considered important to bring meaningful results
Knolwedge of who the participants are and what they bring to the table
Assumption that life experience is knowledge to be shared, instead of assumption that participants need "training".
Learning by doing, bring participants to action.
Learning from real situations and practical applications.
Equitable participation and contribution.
Participants are responsible for the success of the session.

-Challenges of participatory sessions are:
Organizing participatory and interactive sessions demand more from the organizers but are more rewarding for participants.
Conduct the session to meaningful and logical conclusions
Involve every participant, even the silent ones
Participatory sessions require more time to be carried out and they are more difficult in large groups.

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