TASKs for democracy

Activity 50
Living together in diversity
DESCRIPTION
Original activity contributed by Sylvia Jindra and Robert Etlinger
Focus: this activity focuses on rules for living together. It proposes various experiences though which learners
will discuss controversial statements and consider their attitudes toward minorities.
Target group: pre-/in-service teachers of age groups 14-18/adult learners
Expected learning outcomes:
A_DIV_1 Acceptance of diversity as a positive value for the environment and the survival of humankind
S_DIV_3 Aptitude to elicit and respond to others’ beliefs, values and feelings, and behaviour
K_COOP_1 Understanding of the roles and functions of social and political actors
K_DIV_2 Understanding of the changing nature of identities and cultures
Type of activity: Main activity
PROCEDURE
Step 1 (defining concepts – individual and group work – optional)
1. Learners work with the text individually, and start to create their own mind map to illustrate what we
mean by minorities (10 minutes).
2. Group work: split the learners into groups. Each group creates a mind map (on a flip chart or a poster)
to illustrate a common understanding (20 minutes).
3. Group presentation: each group presents their mind map (each member of the group presents a part of
it) (20 minutes).
4. Have the whole group discuss the commonalities and differences among the different mind maps.
Step 2 (developing an understanding – group work – 60 minutes)
1. Distribute the biographies, each about a person from a minority group. These should be read individually,
after which participants create a set of five key points (background and current situation). Each group
of participants becomes an expert on their particular minority group (10 minutes).
2. Group the participants so that those with the same biography are seated together. In their groups participants
find common ground on the five key points. This will be the basis for their presentation in the
next step (15 minutes).
3. Mix up the groups so that each new group contains one member or “expert” representing each member
of a minority. These experts then each present the five key points about their minority so that each
student learns something about the other. Each group should come up with three points for the whole
group to provide feedback on (15 minutes).
Page 277