This is the second activity on active citizenship. This activity can be used as an immersion on the topic after the warming-up. You can find more activities on active citizenship here.

DURATION

20 minutes

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

Between 9 and 16 participants.

MATERIALS

  • 1 chair per participants + 5 additional chairs
  • Stop watch

PREPARATION

Choose 2 fixed objects in your room that are on opposite sides, e.g. the door and a window.

Write the following sentences each on a piece of paper:

“Try to put all the chairs as close as possible to the door.”

“Try to put all the chairs as close as possible to the window.”

“Try to build a circle with all the chairs.”

LINK TO THE TOPIC

Compromises have a vital function in every community. Respecting others points of view and being able to find suitable solutions for all sides therefore are valuable skills.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTIVITY

  • Finding compromises in decision making within a community where different objectives occur

DESCRIPTION

The participants are divided into 3 smaller groups. The facilitator explains that this game is a nonverbal game, so no one is allowed to talk. The facilitator hands each group a different task, which they read secretly and then return the piece of paper to the facilitator. Tasks:

Try to put all the chairs as close as possible to the door.

Try to put all the chairs as close as possible to the window.

Try to build a circle with all the chairs.

The participants have 10 minutes to fulfill the task nonverbally. Once the tasks are completed, the group gets together for reflection.

REFLECTION

The process of the game

  • How did you feel when you realized the others are impeding your cause?
  • At which point did you find out that you had to cooperate and not to compete against each other?
  • How did you find out?
  • What did you do to convince the others to cooperate?

Connection to active citizenship

  • What does the game in terms of active citizenship mean to you?
  • Can you talk about a similar conflict you experienced in real life? What possible actions or solutions can be implemented?