Study circles, lifeWIDE learning (in the conext),

Study circle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Study_circle

"A study circle is a small group of people who meet multiple times to discuss an issue. Study circles may be formed to discuss anything from politics to religion to hobbies with a minimum of 7 people to a maximumof 15.these study circles are formed by a study circle organiser, and are led by a study circle leader. Study circle doesn't have a teacher. They are differentiated from clubs by their focus on exploring an issue or topic rather than on activities or socializing. When they emerged in the early twentieth century they were based on a democratic approach to self-education and were often linked to social movements concerned with temperance or working class emancipation.^[1]

Basics

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Study circles are typically created by persons who discover a common interest; other study circles may be created to analyze and find solutions to social, political, or community problems.

Often there is no teacher, but one member usually acts as facilitator to keep discussion flowing and on track, and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to become as involved as he or she desires to be. Reading material and audio/visual aids are often used to stimulate dialogue.

Study circles may be introductory level, advanced level, or any level in between. Study circles may be sponsored or assisted by government or community officials and have specific outcome goals such as generating ideas or suggesting courses of action; or they may be entirely independent and self-sufficient, existing simply for the pleasure of increasing the knowledge of their members.

While there is no one right way to do a study circle, organizations such as Everyday Democracy (formerly the Study Circles Resource Center) have published simple and suitable dialogue methods for creating deeper understanding, for weighing options and making choices, or for making recommendations that lead to action.^[2]

Study circles allow complex topics to be broken down into manageable parts. Single session programs can result in meaningful and productive dialogue, but study circles usually involve multiple sessions in order to fully investigate the question at hand. However, a study by Staffan Larson in 2001 concluded that while study circles foster participation they are only partly successful as civic change vehicles since their power to influence social action can be weak.^[3]

...

In Sweden today study circles are a mass phenomenon and have broad national support.^[1]: 8 Around 300,000 study circles have been reported each year since the 1970s.^[1]: 18 National educational associations receive annual subsidies from the national government and work with folk high schools (folkhögskolor), university short courses, correspondence study and distance learning, allowing citizens to understand and participate more fully in their communities and nation.^{[1]: 25–34} The Swedish study circle model was successfully transplanted into American culture, most notably in the National Issues Forums (sponsored by the Domestic Policy Association in Dayton, Ohio) and the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen's Study Circle Program which began in 1986.^[6]"

Everyday Democracy (formerly the Study Circles Resource Center 

https://everyday-democracy.org

"OUR STORY: ... Businessman and philanthropist Paul J. Aicher founded Everyday Democracy in 1989 as the Study Circles Resource Center, which evolved over time to address the most pressing needs facing communities. In the early years, we focused on developing a more robust public dialogue, drawing on the ways people talk in their everyday lives. Over time, this expanded to community-wide dialogues, national conversations, and training for individuals and organizations. Along the way, we were challenged to examine the impact of systemic racism on communities, and, in turn, reflect on the depth of our dialogue and resulting community solutions. This compelled us to make racial equity a core tenet of our work...."