In my culture

Intercultural Dialogue

Objectives

• to develop critical awareness of their own and others’ beliefs and values

• to understand cultural differences

• to understand the roles and conventions governing behaviour within specific intercultural environments

Expected Outcomes

After the workshop participants should:

- increase the skill of effective communication with people from different cultures

- understand different point of view affect to own behaviours

- be aware of own culture, as well as the culture of newcomers

Target group

Youth, Adults (over 18 years old)

Mixed and balanced group of National & Immigrants & Refugees

Number of participants: 10-30 people

The degree of expertise needed - 4

The amount of work to prepare and implement the scenario - 2

The relative overall cost predicted - 2

Duration

1 h 40 min

Space

The room with chairs (one per person) putting in the circle

Resources

Copy of statements (Annex 1)

Paper and pen

Preparation

Before the workshops write down on the paper the numbers 1-10 (one number on one paper)

Make a copy of statements (Annex 1) and cut it down

Conduction

Introduction

Explain, that we will have opportunity to get to know different culture, values and believes.  Each culture is unique and people with different cultural background can see the same things in different way.

We can notice the differences from the beginning of meeting with different culture - during the greetings. Explain, that now we will greet each other, as a representatives of different cultures.

1. Greeting in Germany - shake the right hand (man and woman)

2. Greeting in Thailand - consists of a slight bow, with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion. The higher the hands are held in relation to the face and the lower the bow, the more respect or reverence the giver of the greetings is showing

3. Greeting in Poland - say halo and bow your head. Some men might greet a woman by kissing her right hand

4. Greeting in United Arab Emirates - woman hold both hands of another woman; traditional greeting between men involves grasping each other’s right hand, placing the left hand on the other’s right shoulder and exchanging kisses on each cheek;  man and woman don't touch each other in the public space; to greet the woman, man put his right hand on the heart and woman bow the head

5. Greeting in your country

NOTE: make sure that everyone feel comfortable in this exercise and don't force anyone to make the greetings. (15 minutes)

Activities

1. Explain, that now we will discuss about different elements of the culture. Make sure that everyone knows and understands the rules for discussion: that everyone should be treated with respect, that no one is to feel under pressure to say anything which makes him/her feel uncom¬fortable. (5 minutes)

2. In the middle of the circle, where you are sitting, put the numbers 1-10.

3. Explain the rules of the exercise:

Facilitator hold the statements. Participants will be asked to speak about their culture, values and beliefs to get to know different points of view and understanding the same word (value) in different culture. One by one participants will choose one paper with one statement and will have to define how important is that value in his/her culture (1-not at all, 10-very important) and explain why.

Ask the question, if something is not clear for participant. After each answer give some time for question or discussion. Another participants can share their point of view. (60 minutes)

NOTE: explain, that you will get to know different cultures and don't judge it. There is no "better" and "worst" culture, we should not rate it but try to understand the each of them, also according to the history of each group, citizens, religion and another aspects which influence on it.

NOTE: ask participants to think about own culture and be honest, even if they feel, that they don't agree with the answer.

Debriefing

Start with a short discussion about the activity as a whole and whether or not it was difficult, and why. Ask about the feelings and the knowledge after the exercise:

-What was surprising for you?

-What similarities did you notice?

-How you can use this knowledge in your daily life? (20 minutes)

Support tools

Inspiration

Ideas for action

After the exercise you can conduct the workshops: What happened?

Be aware, that some statements can begin a long and deep discussion which can converts in to the 'fight'. Pay attention and don't affraid to stop the discussion, when you noticed that the rules are breaking.

If the discussion was heated you can conduct some exercise to calm down participants e.g. ask them to draw the paintings, which will show their key values and things, which make him/her what she/he is.

You can choose your own statements depend on the group and their interest.

ANNEXES

Annex 1: Statements about culture

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Created by Foundation IRSE

ITE