Participatory Approaches to Facilitation
March 11th - April 28th
Course Faculty: Markos Perrakis, PhD
Effective facilitation is essential for creating conditions where transformative learning can emerge within groups, organizations, and communities. This course explores participatory approaches to facilitation that enhance collective intelligence and wisdom while honoring the diverse perspectives and experiences of participants. Students will develop competencies in designing and holding spaces for authentic dialogue, creative conflict, and collaborative meaning-making. The course examines how different facilitation methods serve varying contexts and purposes, from educational settings to organizational change to community development. Topics include: emergent design, power dynamics, cultural sensitivity, group development, psychological safety, and the role of the facilitator in transformative processes. Particular attention is given to the facilitator's own development and capacity to work with complexity, uncertainty, and liminal spaces. Students will gain practical experience through facilitation exercises while developing their personal philosophy and approach to participatory facilitation.
Course Modules
- The Evolution of Facilitation: From Control to Emergence
- Presence and the Quality of Attention
- Creating Container and Setting Context
- The Dance of Structure and Flow
- Facilitator as Cultural Architect
- Understanding Group Dynamics and Development
- Working with Energy and Engagement
- Collective Intelligence and Wisdom
- The Role of Ritual and Pattern
- Field Theory and Group Consciousness
- Understanding Power Dynamics in Groups
- Cultural Sensitivity and Intercultural Facilitation
- Voice, Silence, and Deep Democracy
- Privilege and Access in Participatory Processes
- From Performance to Authentic Participation
- Principles of Emergent Design
- Working with Uncertainty and Not-Knowing
- Creating Conditions for Transformation
- The Architecture of Participatory Learning
- Rhythm and Timing in Group Process
- Personal Development as Professional Development
- Shadow Work and Self-Awareness
- Emotional Intelligence and Regulation
- Working with Triggers and Projection
- Embodying Authentic Leadership
- Dialogue and Deep Listening Practices
- Creative Conflict and Generative Disagreement
- Somatic Approaches to Group Work
- Arts-Based Methods and Aesthetic Knowing
- Digital Tools and Virtual Facilitation
- Building Communities of Practice
- Facilitating in Times of Crisis and Complexity
- The Commons and Collective Meaning-Making
- Next Stage Facilitation and Cultural Evolution
- Regenerative Practices for Long-term Impact
*Course modules are illustrative. Faculty build dynamic course content and class structure aligned with and beyond the listed modules.
Convening Faculty
Markos Perrakis
Markos Perrakis, PhD, is a development and process facilitator, psychologist, speaker, and founder of Fractality -EU training and counseling provider. For the last 20 years, he has been working with eclectic systemic appreciative approaches, participatory design methods, and Spiritual Intelligence worldwide.
Markos Perrakis provides training, supervision, and facilitation for professionals, HR experts, local communities, politicians, and NGOs, helping citizens express and transform themselves into a co-creative transition. He works with individuals who are mindful of environmental and social issues and helps them align their values with actions that create a positive impact on the world.
Markos Perrakis
Markos Perrakis, PhD, is a development and process facilitator, psychologist, speaker, and founder of Fractality -EU training and counseling provider. For the last 20 years, he has been working with eclectic systemic appreciative approaches, participatory design methods, and Spiritual Intelligence worldwide.
Markos Perrakis provides training, supervision, and facilitation for professionals, HR experts, local communities, politicians, and NGOs, helping citizens express and transform themselves into a co-creative transition. He works with individuals who are mindful of environmental and social issues and helps them align their values with actions that create a positive impact on the world.
Course Structure
- Seven-week online course from March 11th, 2025 through April 28th, 2025.
- Six, live, 75-minute Zoom sessions with faculty held Mondays at 10:00 am PT (Pacific Time) and recorded for participants who cannot join every session live. Note: There is no live class during Week One.
- Resources, networking, and emergent community outcomes.
- Content and collaboration via Meridian's social learning platform.
Course Schedule
Mar. 11|
5 PMCourse Platform Opens
Mar. 17|10 AMFirst Live Course Session
Mar. 24|10 AMSecond Live Course Session
Mar. 31|10 AMThird Live Course Session
Apr. 7|10 AMFourth Live Course Session
Apr. 14 – Apr. 20 No Course Sessions (Spring Break)
Apr. 21|10 AMFifth Live Course Session
Apr. 28|10 AMSixth Live Course Session
Course Fees
$250
- Live video classes
- Access to recordings on course platform
- Course platform community and resources
- Participant launch of ongoing Community of Practice after the course
Accreditation
Meridian University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) - a higher education accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education. WASC is also the accreditor for Stanford University, UCLA, and the University of California at Berkeley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meridian’s online courses are conducted via the University's own learning platform.
Our online courses promote community learning, through strong interactive engagement with fellow students and faculty as well as live video sessions with faculty.
You will need an email account, a high-speed internet connection, and access to a computer, iOS or Android device.
If you are planning to attend the course video calls live, you will need a webcam and microphone for your device. (Course video calls are conducted with participants video-enabled.)
Live 75-min video sessions with faculty and fellow students will be conducted throughout the course. Each week's live video call will be recorded and posted on the course platform.
Video presentations, readings, discussions and learning activities will be accessible asynchronously and may be completed on participants' own schedule. Course resources and recordings will remain available up to 30 days after the close of the course.
Full refunds are available until two (2) days before the course begins, by request via email.
You do not need to apply to a Meridian graduate degree program to take this online course. This course is one of Meridian’s open-enrollment courses
The course support team will be available to assist from start to finish. Please send your questions/requests/issues to openenrollment@meridianuniversity.edu
Convening faculty generally lead each live session. Contributing faculty typically contribute in one of the live course sessions. Course resources address the work of both convening and contributing faculty.
Meridian has institutional and federal financial aid options for our graduate degree programs. This open enrollment course does not have financial aid or payment plans available.
Register
Register here to join a community of engaged practitioners for this unique online course experience. Pre-registration below is required to attend and space is limited. Registrations will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis and to ensure a quality experience for participants, last minute registration is not guaranteed.
Meridian coursework students should register for this course through the Services App. Meridian continuation students have the option to register as public participants without academic credit. Continuation students and Meridian alumni are eligible for a 50% discount by contacting ctl@meridianuniversity.edu.
Submitting
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