Samkomu

Samkomu is a term used to describe a structured, inclusive gathering format designed to promote collaborative decision-making among participants. The concept seeks to create spaces where all voices can be heard and where decisions emerge from collective engagement rather than top-down authority.

Origin and etymology are uncertain; the term appears in contemporary sociolinguistic and participatory governance literature as a composite drawing on words for “together” and “meeting” from multiple languages. In practice, samkomu is treated as a flexible framework rather than a rigid protocol.

A samkomu session typically begins with a clear objective and agreed ground rules, a designated facilitator, and a time-bound agenda. Speaking turns are allocated to participants in a rotating order, with a focus on active listening, paraphrasing, and documenting concerns. Decisions commonly use consensus or consent-based approaches, and outcomes are recorded as minutes, action items, and, when appropriate, formal recommendations. Both in-person and online formats are used, with digital whiteboards and shared documents enabling real-time collaboration.

Applications include neighborhood councils, school or nonprofit boards, and online community forums. Advocates credit samkomu with increasing participation, improving legitimacy of decisions, and creating shared ownership of projects. Critics warn that the format can be time-intensive and highly dependent on facilitation quality; without skilled moderators, power imbalances, domination by certain voices, or performative agreement can undermine the goal of genuine inclusion.

Related topics include participatory democracy, deliberative democracy, consensus decision-making, and facilitation.