Exercise description

Draw targets on the big pieces of paper beforehand (see image). Above each target is one of the following topics:

– My work

– The group’s work

– The training team’s work

– Methods used at the training

Participants should express their satisfaction with what they have been offered by marking the targets with felt-tip pens or small stickers. The more satisfied they are, the closer they should place their mark to the centre of the target; the less satisfied they are, the further away it will be.

Exercise description

Write the words “less”, “more” or “the same” on three separate sheets of paper. Participants have the task of writing down on these pieces of paper what they wish there was less of (e.g. theoretical input, interruptions, etc.), what they wish there was more of (e.g. walks together in an informal setting, working on a topic, games) and what they wouldn’t change / would like the same amount of.

Variation

The reflection groups can be given concrete questions that they can address during their meeting:

• What was new for you today?
• What was the most difficult for you?
• What did you not like?
• What was the most significant experience for you today?
• List the questions that occurred to you while working that you would like to see addressed before the end of the training.

Every member of the group, including the trainers, receives an empty envelope. Everyone writes their name on their envelope and displays it somewhere that has been previously determined (for example, on one of the tables in the workshop room). The instructions are to write a message to anyone you want that you can then place into the envelope with that person’s name on it. Important instructions:

• Participants should not write criticisms that require discussion (this should be done in person), but instead write nice things, offer support or list the things that they liked about that person.
• You should take the envelope with your name and seal it. You should not open the envelope before arriving home. You should open the envelope once you are back home and have enough time to read the messages in peace.

In the plenary, sitting in a circle, people take turns giving their evaluation of the training. For directions, write out guiding questions.

• What did you receive from this training? What did you like and what didn’t you like? General impressions of the training
• How satisfied are you with your work? The group’s work? The work of the training team? Which event from the training was the most significant for you?
• What will you be thinking about when you go back home? What kind of changes in yourself did you notice?
• What will this training be useful for?
• Why should we organise a training of this kind again? What should we change?

Exercise description

A large piece of paper is placed on the floor. Participants have to think of a single word that would describe the training and to write it down on the paper. The paper should be large enough for multiple people to write at the same time. This can be done at the same time as the Targets exercise.

The journal is a notebook that is always in the workshop room. Participants and trainers can write their thoughts in the notebook, as well as messages that they want to share with the group during the training. The journal is read out each morning before work begins.

Exercise description

Distribute several post-its in various colours to participants. Participants should think about what they have gained from the training, what they have learned, and what they can do when they return home as an (additional) contribution to peacebuilding. Their task is to write these thoughts down but to begin each sentence with “I will…” or “I need…” (one sentence per post-it). Afterwards, participants go up to the wall newspaper one by one to read what they have written down and stick their post-its up.