SEMINAR

Our Island

 

 

“OUR ISLAND” for Social Inclusion

Objectives

• Help participants understand and practice social inclusion.

• Build empathy by stepping into characters shoes. 

• Forster problem-solving through collaborative storytelling. 

Materials Needed:

• Open space for movements

• Big piece of paper

• Markers

Process:

1. Welcome and Introduction (10 minutes)

• Relaxing the body and the mind by walking around 

• Awaking participants imagination 

• Supplying participants with characteristics of a “hero”

 

2. Main Activity: 

• Divide participants into 2 groups of a 6 persons

(Each group starting to create their own island with drawing their chosen hero on the paper. This gives them a deeper psychological connection, fosters greater understanding of the characteristics of the character as well as the similarities and differences between themselves and the character)

• Preparation 

Groups starting creating their own island by drawing their own hero. Before they finish with the drawings instructor is giving to each group excluded character and guide them to step in to the shoes of their chosen hero and to think about how it will include this person in their island. The participants are encouraged to collaboratively come up with a story, where all the characters are equally involved. The educator gives pointers and ideas, all while following the participants core ideas and intentions

• Performance

Groups start with telling the story that they created where each person have their own contribution. This spontaneity elicits a real time reaction from the participants, by making them go off script, opening the door to even more creativity. By working together to include the ”excluded” character, participants practice empathy, quick thinking, and problem-solving in real-time. Unrehearsed empathy and sympathy are elicited, and the participants work together to become heroes on one island, that live together, work together, and share adventures with each other.

3. Reflection, debrief and conclusion (7 minutes)

After the storytelling follows a reflection session guided by the educator. The educator ask questions such as 

• ”what did your character do to include others?”

• “how did teamwork make the story better?”

• “what strengths did you use during the play?”

This helps solidify the experience in the mind, as well as reflect on the whole story, what role did they play in the story, and how each and every one of the participants were an integral part to the story.

The session end with an affirmation activity where participants compliment each other’s characters, reinforcing a sense of community and mutual appreciation. 

Key outcome

“Our Island” workshop helps participants develop:

• Empathy: Understanding and valuing different perspectives.

• Collaboration: Building strong, supportive relationships.

• Problem-Solving: Adapting to challenges with creativity and teamwork. 

These outcomes contribute to a more inclusive and harmonious social environment. Social inclusion: By presenting the participants with a real time challenge of inclusion, on an island that they themselves have cultivated with their presence, that they have drawn, and which they feel as their own, resolving this challenge or problem results in a newfound self-confidence – a concrete experience that they are capable of helping, accepting and working together with everyone on their island. Each participant get themselves experience, which will serve as a reminder of their capabilities and capacities. 

Personal reflection as facilitator:

1. Problems that occurred:

Participants need more time to prepare themselves for acting their chosen hero’s (they just come with the drawn island and the story but didn’t have time for acting their chosen hero)

Waiting each groups to connect their chosen hero’s on the way to include the excluded character

Not deep enough reflection and debriefing because of time limit.

2. Tips what to do differently for a better improvement:

Guiding the participants to be focused more on how to act their chosen hero!