Knowledge Café: The Talk The Knowledge Café initiating talk

A Knowledge Café begins with a short talk that sets the scene and invites curiosity. Too often, speakers dominate or rely on slides, turning a conversation into a presentation. A brief, thoughtful introduction, followed by a powerful question, creates space for genuine dialogue to emerge.

A speaker usually starts a Knowledge Café conversation with a short talk to set the Café’s theme or context, then poses a question to the participants.

A Knowledge Café is about the conversation itself. Conversation is King.

The speaker typically talks for 5 to 15 minutes without using slides, then poses the question.

When the topic is new or complex, it’s acceptable to use a few slides—no more than five—and to speak for up to 20 minutes, but never longer.

The speaker, not the host, should normally pose the question.

The speaker’s role is to set the context and spark curiosity. They can do this with a short talk and a clear, inviting question. When they speak briefly and open space for others, the conversation begins to flow. The aim is to create the conditions for people to think and learn together.