For example, in some Native American cultures, councils of elders come together to understand problems in a spirit of shared community in "wisdom circles".
Over time and across countries, civic organizations, neighborhood communities, trade unions, churches and social justice groups have used the idea of learning circles to empower their members to make choices and take action.
[2][3][4] Among the goals of this activity are helping students to develop trust and respect for diversity of experience, and fostering both listening and speaking skills among peers.
Quality circles, originally associated with Japanese management and manufacturing techniques developed in Japan after World War II, were based on lectures of W. Edwards Deming (Joel & Ross, 1982).
[full citation needed] The goal was to encourage everyone to develop a strong sense of ownership over the process and products of the group.
[5] The learning circle was adapted by Garry Bertieg from a development model in the "Building Momentum" document issued by the Baháʼí World Centre around 2003.