Active Citizens Global Toolkit - Active Citizens - British Council

Power of assumptions (45 minutes)
Learning outcomes:
1. Have a strong sense of our own cultures and identity.
2. Have a better understanding of how our sense of identity and cultures
are formed and change.
3. Have curiosity and value difference.
Summary: This activity introduces participants to the idea of assumptions
and explores how assumptions drive our behaviour. It helps participants
choose assumptions to guide our behaviour differently. Participants
explore the meaning and influence of assumptions.
Approach:
1. Start the session by asking people to call out what they think
assumptions are. Try to bring out:
a. Sometimes we think that a good outcome is to have no
assumptions. The reality is that all humans hold assumptions
and it is not good or bad, it just is.
b. We do not need to always know what our assumptions are.
However if we want to act or think differently, then we have
an opportunity to think about our assumptions.
2. What assumptions did you hold when you joined this event? During this
part of the conversation you will need to pull out the following points:
b. The assumptions we hold inform how we enter situations and
how we act.
c. As groups we can bring what seem to be completely different
assumptions.
d. Assumptions can therefore be different and we have the
freedom to choose which ones we want to hold.
Approach 2: (to look more in detail)
1. Each participant takes a sheet of A4 paper. On one side they draw or
write something which represents how they see themselves. On the
other side they draw or write some of the assumptions other people
make about them
2. In pairs discuss the two sides.
3. What do you think are some of the assumptions that others hold about
you?
4. What are some of the assumptions we hold about others?
5. What are the values and the risks of holding assumptions?
6. Why is it important as Active Citizens to be able to ‘hold our
assumptions lightly?’
Globally connected, Locally engaged - Active Citizens: Toolkit. Copyright © 2011 (v2 2012) The British Council
This material may not be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the copyright holders.
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