This is the first activity on human rights produced by the Drama for Youth Work project. This activity can be used as a warming up. You can find more activities on human rights here.

DURATION

20 minutes

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

Between 6 and 20 participants.

MATERIALS

No specific needs

PREPARATION

No preparations are needed

LINK TO THE TOPIC

While this warm up activity has a rather loose link to the topic, it does emphasize the freedom of each individual to make their own decision, most notably the freedom to say “No”

OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTIVITY

  • Warming up the participants, making their minds and bodies ready for the following activities
  • Ice breaker

DESCRIPTION

Have the participants stand in circle. The participants should have their feet roughly at hip width, so to be ready to turn fast in either direction. Now the facilitator sends an impulse to one of his neighbours. This impulse is a simple clap which is now further produced in the direction the facilitator has given. The aim here is to be fast and precise.

After a few rounds, the facilitator introduces a new rule. A participant can now shout “No!” instead of forwarding the impulse. If one does so, the impulse immediately changes direction. Stay focused!

When the participants are getting used to this, the facilitator introduces a third rule. The participants are now allowed to swap places in the circle. To do this, both persons need to make eye contact with each other and non-verbally agree on switching places. The facilitator should encourage the group to swap often. However, don’t let the clapping subside!

REFLECTION

  • How did you feel when one of your neighbors said “No!” to you?
  • How did saying “No!” made you feel?
  • Why did or didn’t you use the possibility to swap places?