Session 9.3
TACKLING A STATEMENT
Introduction
When we as human beings have conversations
we use words to express our opinions and points of view.
We try to describe reality and present facts with these
words. However, words also reveal our attitudes. Words do
not just convey facts, but also our values and opinions.
Words can be charged with emotions. This four corners activity,
can stimulate discussion on specific issues.
Materials
• Open space so that people can
move freely around the room.
• Four signs on each of the four
corners of the room, indicating four positions:
+ + = strongly agree
+ = agree
x = disagree
x x = strongly disagree
• Flipchart and papers
• Markers and Tape
Time
45 minutes
Group size
15 - 30 people
Process
Everyone stands in the middle of the room
while a statement is presented, for instance about Racism.
It could be helpful to have the statements written up on
a flipchart or board. The statements should be carefully
designed to draw out a wide spectrum of responses, probably
six is enough in a session.
These statements should not be questions, for example;
• Everybody has prejudices
• Europe is multi-cultural
• National culture and international
culture must be learned at the same time
• It is not enough to be curious
about other cultures
People are asked to think about the statement for a minute
and than to choose the corner which represents their response
to the statement. Nobody should stand in the middle or hover
between positions. They must make a decision. Once in a
corner, people should pair up with someone in their own
corner to discuss the statement. (3 minutes). Then they
enter discussion with someone from an opposite corner. They
should then finish by going to the corner that reflects
their view on the subject now. This may or may not have
changed.
Conclusion
This peer learning activity can be applied
to a wide range of controversial statements and can be used
with people of different ages. It is possible when people
are back in their corner, then to ask one representative
from each corner to explain briefly their choice to the
others. Further discussion at this point is also possible.
A useful variation of the technique described
above can be found in "Where
do you stand" in Compass.
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