MOSAIC - The training kit for Euro-Mediterranean youth work

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Instructions
Explain that the activity will take the form of a debate. Participants will be divided
randomly to begin with, in order to draw up arguments for different positions but will
then have the opportunity to “vote with their feet” after hearing the speeches for each side.
Check that everyone understands what is meant by the terms “motion” and
“amendment”. If anyone is unsure, explain the terms using the example under
“Further information” (below).
Indicate the three signs and explain that these will represent the positions of the
three parties.
– AGREE for the government (proposing the motion)
– DISAGREE for the opposition (opposing the motion)
– PARTLY DISAGREE for the centrists (also opposing the motion)
Divide the participants into three groups and invite one group to select one of
the three positions, then invite another group to choose one of the other two
positions (or they can draw lots); they gather near their sign. Tell them it is not
important whether in fact the group believe in the position they have been
allocated: the task at first is simply to put the best possible arguments for that
position.
Read out the motion for debate. Explain that the government needs to prepare
two short speeches proposing the motion, and the other two groups need to
propose amendments corresponding to their positions, with speeches to back
them up.
Tell them the order in which the speeches will be heard:
– Agree (Government Speaker 1)
– Partly disagree (Centrist Speaker 1)
– Disagree (Opposition Speaker 1)
– Agree (Government Speaker 2)
– Partly disagree (Centrist Speaker 2)
– Disagree (Opposition Speaker 2)
Tell groups that they have 30 minutes to think about arguments for their position,
and each group should select two speakers who will speak in the debate. Tell
them that each speaker will have only two minutes and the group should think
about the points their speakers should make so they complement and do not
repeat each other.
After 30 minutes, bring the groups together and introduce the start of the debate.
The six speakers should stand next to the signs corresponding to the position
for which they will argue; everyone else should stand in the middle of the room.
Tell those in the middle that they should no longer consider themselves as members
of the government, opposition or centrists: they should now listen to the
arguments as objectively as possible and make up their own minds as to which
position they most agree with. Explain that, at the end of each speech, they must
take at least one step in any direction, to signal their agreement or disagreement
with the speech they have heard.
MOSAIC - The training kit for Euro-Mediterranean youth work