HL Conference Event Evaluation UK (PDF)

The Danish National Association of Public
Housing Cooperations meets The Human Library

EVALUATION REPORT

THE DANISH NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING COOPERATIONS
MEETS THE HUMAN LIBRARY
September 4th 2016, the Human Library® held a large event with The Danish National Association of Public
Housing Cooperations at their annual conference.
The housing association wanted to uncover future housing needs and requirements of some of their tenant
groups. And help the many local housing executive committees across the country understand these groups
the best way possible.
At the conference the 200 participants were divided into groups of 6-8 people. Each group ’read’ three
different ’books’ from The Human Library during 90 minutes, such as Convert, Sexually Abused, Widower,
Bi-polar, Blind, Anorectic, Long-time Unemployed, Single Mother, Ex-Alcoholic, Homeless, Lesbian, Jew,
and Autist.
This report presents the results of the event which altogether went really well. It’s an example of how
Human Library meetings encourage openness, understanding, and tolerance in corporations and organisations towards user groups which may be a bit different than themselves.

“Where can I borrow again?”

“It’s in the dialogue that
we gain new insight :)”

“FANtastic event!”

“The Human Library is
a good idea – dialogue
promotes understanding.”

“I’m so much wiser now.
Thank you!”

“I think it works really well. Something happens in the
room, and the participants become active and personally
involved. And I could tell they really gained a lot from
meeting people they may not otherwise have an opportunity to meet.” (Eva Seyffert, conference director, The
Public Housing Association)

“I have completely changed my stance
on a certain topic. Very enlightening.”

“Really amazing. Would
like to know more”

“Great opportunity to challenge
one’s prejudices.”

“The time was too short, would
have liked to spend longer time
with the other books also.”

“Always nice to get wiser and gain
insight into these issues.”

“It’s a great framework. To have an opportunity
to just ask away, that’s actually really exciting.”
(Eva Seyffert, conference director, The Public
Housing Association)

The 200 participants had a 46% vs 54% distribution of women and men. Just half were between 56 and 70
years old, a fourth between 41 and 55, and the remaining fourth were between 26-40 and 70+. Roughly
60% were from Jutland, 13% from the capital of Copenhagen, 13% from Zealand, and 15% from Funen
and surrounding islands.

PLS RATE OUR EFFORT ON A SCALE FROM 1 TO 5 WHERE 5 IS BEST:
How do you rate the effort of our books?
How do you rate the practical implementation
of the event?
How do you rate the physical settings of the
event?
How do you rate the quality of the event as a
whole?

TO WHAT DEGREE DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE GAINED NEW KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE BOOKS YOU’VE READ?
Not at all
Somewhat
Very much

THIS QUESTION IS ABOUT OUR METHODOLOGY. TO WHAT DEGREE DO YOU AGREE WITH THE
FOLLOWING:
The meeting with a human book provides unique
insight into another person’s life
The methodology (meting and dialogue) suits the
theme and purpose of the day
The dialogue with a human book promotes understanding and respect
The lending was an opportunity to ask questions and
gain new knowledge about each other
A personal meeting provides something different than
a lecture or presentation
It’s important to have direct and personal access to
the book

Disagree

98%

Disagree somewhat

Neither agree or disagree

Agree somewhat

Agree

think that they’ve gained new, useful,
and actionable knowledge.

THIS QUESTION IS ABOUT YOUR OUTPUT OF THE EVENT. TO WHICH DEGREE DO
YOU FEEL THAT:
You had received adequate information/instruction
prior to the book lending?
The lending time was appropriate?

You could ask the questions you wanted to?
Your view or potential prejudices have become more
nuanced?
You have gained new/useful/actionable knowledge?

Not at all

Somewhat

Very much

WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK WITH THE HUMAN LIBRARY METHODOLOGY AGAIN?
Yes, definitely
Maybe, if time and place suits
No, I don’t think so
Other, please elaborate

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND OUR METHODOLOGY TO OTHERS?
Yes, definitely
No, I don’t think so
Other, please elaborate

96%

think that the personal meeting provides something
different than a lecture or presentation.

GET IN TOUCH!
Do you also want to encourage openness, understanding, and tolerance in your organization
towards different user /minority groups and towards diversity in general?
Please contact Ronni Abergel on:
Tel. +45 40 10 42 30
Skype RonniAbergel
Email ronni.abergel@humanlibrary.org
Best regards
Ronni Abergel
https://dk.linkedin.com/in/ronni-abergel-862aa6

HUMAN LIBRARY FOR BUSINESS
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proven Human Library® methodology which is used in 80+ countries across the world. Find
out more on our website under “Corporate”.

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96%

would recommend the
methodology to others.

96%

think that their views or
potential prejudices have
become more nuanced.