Health Data Forum 2025 – World Café Table Host Guide

Purpose:
World Cafés are designed for dialogue, not presentations. As a table host, your role is to spark discussion, ensure everyone has a voice, and capture one or two key takeaways to share back in plenary.

⏱ Structure

• 15 minutes – 1 round of small group discussions

• 5 minutes – plenary wrap-up (rapporteurs share highlights)

🎤 Your Role as Host

1. Welcome participants to your table (onsite or online).

   • Introduce yourself briefly.

   • Restate your Lightning Talk theme in 1 minute or less.

   • Pose your seed question to the group.

2. Guide the dialogue

   • Encourage equal participation.

   • Keep the conversation on theme.

   • Capture notes on key insights, quotes, or examples.

3. Wrap up the table

   • In the final minute, ask:
     "If you had to leave with one key insight from this discussion, what would it be?"

   • Write down 1–2 points.

📝 Plenary Sharing

• Each host (or designated rapporteur) shares 1–2 headline insights from their table during the wrap-up.

• Keep it short (max 1 minute per host).

💡 Tips for Success

• Listen more than you speak — you're a facilitator, not a lecturer.

• Draw in quieter voices with prompts like: "What's your take?"

• Respect time — keep discussions moving so everyone can contribute.

• Make it practical — encourage participants to share real-world experiences.

🔗 Hybrid Bridging

• Onsite hosts: guide discussions around your table in the room.

• Online hosts: manage your breakout group in Zoom.

• Both streams will report back together in plenary, ensuring onsite and online insights are connected.