First conversation meal held in run-up to 2007
Monday 3 July, 2006
 More
than 40 people from across Oxford took part in the first Oxford Unmasked
event, a conversation meal where participants use a special Menu of Conversation
to get beyond superficial talk and 'unmask' themselves.
The conversation meal, one of
a series organised by Oxford Inspires with the Oxford
Muse and supported by BMW
Group Plant Oxford, is part of Oxfordshire
2007, a year of festivals and special events celebrating 1000 years
of Oxfordshire. In the lead up to 2007, three Conversation Meals are planned
for June, August and October 2006.
The inaugural meal was held
at West Oxford Primary School, with a wide range of participants, including
representatives and employees from the Oxford Night Shelter, Blackbird
Leys Artists Group, Oxfam, Asian Cultural Centre, Oxfordshire Mind, Barclays
Bank, Oxford Jobcentre Plus and BMW Group Plant Oxford. There were staff
members from Oxford Brookes University, and a lecturer, students and two
college porters from the University of Oxford. Others taking part were
a folk musician, a lawyer, an accountant, a community worker, a builder,
a cleaner, a chef, a graphic artist and cricketer, a photographer, a girl-guide
leader and a primary school teacher.
Each person sat with someone
they didn't know. 'Dishes' on the menu included questions on topics such
as friendship, family, compassion and aspirations. The conversation was
accompanied by an organic, plant-based meal created by Miche Fabre Lewin.
Here is what some of those taking
part in the meal had to say about their experiences:
'Excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed
it; learnt a lot from my companion about religion, Islam, Pakistan and
his own perspectives and philosophy on life which was surprising. I
may try Muse Conversation Meals with my key colleagues for team building,
particularly where there are teams with a number of newer staff.'
'It was absolutely wonderful!
Thank you so much for providing this opportunity. I do not remember
when was the last time I had this kind of conversation with anyone.'
'I really enjoyed myself so
much more than I imagined I would. I spoke about something really difficult
that I haven't been able to talk about, which is healing. My partner
helped me come to a solution to a problem.'
'The Conversation Menu is
a fantastic idea. I enjoyed meeting, talking to and listening to my
conversation partner and she has restored my faith in younger people
and tolerance of different people in the world.'
'The food was great—really
unusual and a talking point in itself. My conversation partner was not
quite as different to me as I had expected... maybe that's part of the
point...'
To view pictures from the first
conversation meal, visit http://www.oxfordmuse.com/projects/OxUn1_Pic/index.html
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