A Learning Circle for Facilitators
Where All Voices Are Heard:
The mindset of facilitators who draw out diverse voices
An image of voices expanding and resonating
About this learning circle
What does it take to create a space where every voice can be heard in a multicultural setting?
This Learning Circle is designed for those in social impact sectors, business, education, and beyond who take on the role of facilitator. Together, we will explore and practice inclusive facilitation in a small, supportive group.
I, Chizu Matsushita, will guide the circle. With over 25 years of experience in international organisations, and now working as a professional coach, university lecturer, and facilitator, I bring my background of leading diverse teams and fostering dialogue across cultures.
My aim is to create a safe, reflective learning space where participants can explore and strengthen their own facilitation practice.
What you will get from this circle
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Practical tools to “bring every voice into the room” in diverse settings
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Perspectives for addressing challenges such as power dynamics, cultural differences, and unconscious bias
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Ways to foster meaningful participation (speaking, listening, writing, etc.)
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Design methods and facilitation processes suited to group purpose and context
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Boundary-setting to maintain safe and open spaces
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Approaches to develop your unique facilitation/leadership style
Who it's for
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Facilitators, leaders, educators, and managers who bring people together
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Those working in diverse or multicultural environments
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Anyone exploring inclusive and participatory approaches to dialogue, meetings, and workshops
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People wanting to deepen their facilitation mindset and practice
Structure
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The program combines:
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Reflections & journaling
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Online sessions (3 total) with interactive practice
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One-on-one check-ins (2 times) with me as your coach
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Over five months, we meet three times as a group online, with flexible self-paced reflection and coaching in between.
Programme Schedule (May–July 2026 group)
Step 1: Start-up Reflection
After registering, you’ll work on a worksheet and take time to reflect on your own experience.
(From March 2026)
Step 2: One-on-One Check-in (1 hour)
The facilitator, who is also a professional coach, will support you in deepening your reflection.
(April 2026, scheduled individually)
Step 3: Session 1
Friday, 8 May 2026, 14:00–16:00 CET / 13:00–15:00 UK / 08:00–10:00 ET
Theme: What voices are not being heard? Where are the gaps in facilitation? We will reflect on factors such as culture, power, safety, and trust, and take stock of your facilitation journey.
Step 4: Session 2
Friday, 5 June 2026, 14:00–16:00 CET / 13:00–15:00 UK / 08:00–10:00 ET
Theme: Practising inclusivity. We will explore ways to respect different participation styles and practise tools and techniques. One or two participants (individually or in pairs) will also lead a 30-minute mini-workshop.
Step 5: Session 3
Friday, 3 July 2026, 14:00–16:00 CET / 13:00–15:00 UK / 08:00–10:00 ET
Theme: Moving through challenges. We’ll examine common pitfalls in creating inclusive spaces and explore ways to move through them. Together, we will organise our learning and identify “next steps” for practice. This session also includes a 30-minute mini-workshop by one or two participants.
Step 6: Closing Reflection
Self-paced worksheet to consolidate learning and takeaways.
(July 2026)
Step 7: One-on-One Check-out (1 hour)
Final coaching session to integrate learning into practice.
(by middle to end of July 2026, scheduled individually)
Participation fee
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Regular: €350 (¥50,000 for Japan-based participants)
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Early bird discount (by the end of March, 2026): 20% off (€280 / ¥40,000)
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Limited to 10 participants
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EU-based participants: VAT (21%) applies unless exempt
※ For participants residing in the EU, 21% VAT will be added.
※ If you are registering on behalf of an organisation with a valid VAT number, the reverse charge mechanism may apply.
How to register
Please complete the regustratuib form below. Registration will close once all places are filled.
For inquiries, feel free to contact me at: chizu[at]synergyfacilitation.com
Why Join This Circle?
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A space for reflection and new perspectives
By sharing and revisiting your experiences with peers, you’ll gain fresh insights and a deeper awareness of your own facilitation practice. As a professional coach, I will support your reflections with care and structure. -
A true circle of mutual learning
his is not a one-way training course. It is a participatory space where everyone brings their experiences and questions, and where we learn with and from one another.
From a past Japanese online session