Toolbox

Positioning Exercise: let's discuss!

This activity can help to explore the different views or needs around an issue within the group. People in a group place themselves somewhere along a line to show how they agree or disagree with a statement.

In the online version, you will need a canvas like this: https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_ldJ8abE=/ (view only), with an icon or emoji for each participant and a line with agree / disagree on each side.

You will also have to prepare some statements around the issue you want to explore. Below, you can check the statements we used during the BePart training.

Instructions

1. The facilitator will read out some statements related to [THE_ISSUE];
2. Each of the participants has been assigned a character. Pick your character from the left hand side and move it the side of the board that is closer to your answer to the question. You can AGREE, DISAGREE or STAY IN THE MIDDLE (if you are not sure or don't have a clear position);
3. Each of you is asked to leave a post it note next to the position they pick (please include your name). We will create a discussion starting from your answers to each question.

Example: Statements on Youth Participation, Facilitation and Power

1. Students running a charity marathon is participation.
2. Students should not be put in charge of taking decisions on money management.
3. As a teacher and facilitator, I should take a neutral position.
4. There is no participation without Decision making.
5. Students should have a say about their school curriculum.
6. Including participatory processes within school hours (and not in recess or extracurricular activities) is the only way to ensure participation.
7. Supporting and accompanying participatory processes means being willing to give up some degree of control.
8. Students need adult supervision to implement a participatory process.
9. School hierarchy is necessary to ensure its correct management.
10.  Participation in decision-making involves sharing and distributing real Power.
11. Students do have to vote in decision making, otherwise participation is fake.
12.  There are things in a school where students cannot have a say.
13. The Ministry of education is responsible for giving to or taking back power and participation rights from students.