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“Enemies” at Official Commemorations
Exercise description The day before, ask individuals from the group to take on roles for this exercise so that they can prepare. Their task will be to participate in displaying a commemoration for fal
“Husband, Wife, Compote” Story
Materials: Paper and pencils Exercise description The participants split into two or three groups. A volunteer from each group is taken aside and the story below is read out to them. Then they
“Little Red Riding Hood” Story
Materials: “Little Red Riding Hood” from the wolf’s perspective “Little Red Riding Hood” Story Exercise description In the plenary, read this version of “Little Red Riding Hood”, which is diffe
“Nonviolence” Barometer
Method Barometar Exercise description Suggestions of issues: You should approach your adversary with trust. Nonviolence does not take advantage of the adversary’s weaknesses. Nonviolence yields
“Power” Barometer
Materials: Large piece of paper, markers Exercise description Barometer method Suggestions of issues: Power is a negative attribute. Everyone wants power. I am powerful. Power can always be abu
3 + 2 Identities
Materials: Small papers of different colours, pencils Exercise description The participantssitina circle.Everyonegetsthreepapers(notes) of one colour and two of another colour. They are told to write
5 Minutes of Silence
Exercise description Everyone sits in a circle in silence. Their task is to listen to the sounds in the room and coming in from outside. After five minutes, the participants list the sounds they heard
A Fair Attitude to the Past?
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Step1. Split into smaller groups based on nationality, ethnicity or religion. Each group is tasked with making a wall newspaper on: “Wha
A Pebble for a Present
Materials: Pebbles Exercise description The morning or evening before the exercise, ask participants to go for a short walk, alone or with company, and to each find one pebble that they can bring to t
A River of Identities
Materials: A stack of A4 paper Exercise description Everyone gets five pieces of A4 paper. Task: On each one write in large letters one thing that means a lot to you. All papers are gathered an
A Step Forward
Materials: Cards with descriptions of roles Exercise description Prepare as many cards with roles as there are participants. Randomly hand out the cards to the participants. They are not to tell anyon
Action Pillars*
Materials: Large pieces of paper, markers, “action pillars” model Exercise description The participants are divided into three groups. The groups are given the task of choosing a specific socia
Active Listening Exercise
Materials: Flipchart paper, marker Exercise description Split the group into pairs. Person A takes five minutes to tell their partner, person B, about something that angered them recently or wa
Actors in Dealing with the Past
Materials: Paper, felt-tip pens, masking tape Exercise description With the help of the training team, the participants identify all the social groups relevant in public and political life (pol
Airplane
Materials: “Lifesavers” made of paper (prepared in advance), large piece of paper, markers Exercise description Prepare lifesavers in advance by cutting them out of a large piece of paper (see
Alternatives
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Step 1. Brainstorming in the plenary: “How would you describe the situation in your societies?” Then we mark the notes that describe wha
An Emotion Expressed with a Number
The participants pair up. Participants have the task of telling an emotion to their partner that was given to them by the trainer (for e.g. “You are sad now” or “You are angry now”) but they can only
Analysing Behaviour in Conflict Using a Chart
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers, prepared conflict behaviour analysis charts Exercise description The participants fill out the chart in small groups. They give presentations in the plenary, follo
Annexes for the Workshop Nonviolent Communication
I-speech I-speech is a nonviolent communication technique that enables the expression of needs and wishes and aims to improve understanding of the other and of oneself. It is concrete and focuses on a
As If I…
Everyone walks around the room. When the trainer gives the signal, everyone acts as if what the trainer just said had actually happened: – You heard some great news. – You are very tired. – It suddenl
Assigning Identity
Exercise description Everyone writes down five of their identity markers on a piece of paper so others can’t see. Then the participants split into three groups. Each group is given a bunch of post-its
Associations: Prejudice and Discrimination
Materials: Post-its, Flipchart paper, pencils Exercise description For this exercise, you need to prepare a dozen terms denoting different social groups. For example: religious persons, soldier
Associations: Women, Men
Exercise description The participants split into two groups: women and men. All the participants in both groups get two post- its each. They have 30 seconds to write down the first things that come to
Auction
Materials: “Paintings”, “Points” Exercise description The participants split into three groups. Each group is given the task of buying as many paintings at the auction as they can. The bidding for eac
Better Understanding
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Split into four groups. Group discussions about: “What contributes to better understanding and constructive dialogue? Which modes of com
Blind Following*
Materials: Blindfolds (scarves, kerchiefs, etc.) Exercise description Before the workshop, ask participants to bring something to the workshop that they can use as a blindfold (a scarf, kerchie
Box
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description The participants split into men and women. Each group gets a flipchart paper with a rectangle drawn in the middle symbolising the “box”
Brainstorming
The task is to list them on the board of the association on a certain topic. Associations are recorded without comment and discussion, and the facilitator may request a brief explanation of the term.
Brainstorming: Associations Related to the Word Leader
Brainstorming: Conflict (associations)
Brainstorming: Daily Situations When I Encounter the Wartime Past
Brainstorming: Power
Brainstorming: Violence
Brainstorming: What Are the Factors that Influence the Construction of Identity?
Brainstorming: What Is Teamwork?
Brainstorming: Where Do Prejudices Come From?
Centipede*
Materials: Chairs or other items to serve as obstacles Exercise description The participants split into two groups. Each group forms a “centipede”: They stand in a column, eyes closed, with their hand
Chair Statues About “The Power of Nonviolence”
Materials: 6–7 chairs Exercise description Exercise description Instructions: The task is to use six or seven chairs to construct a statue that symbolises the power of nonviolence. After the fi
Chair Statues About Power
Materials: 6–7 chairs Exercise description Exercise description Instructions: The task is to use six or seven chairs to construct a statue that symbolises power. After the first person construc
Change!
Exercise description If it is a large group, divide it into two smaller groups. The group stands in a circle. One person is the “initiator”. The initiator steps into the centre of the circle and their
Choosing the King/Queen of the Group
Materials: Post-its, pencils, chair Exercise description Instructions: You have unlimited time to pick one of you to be the king/queen of the group, but without talking. Evaluation Sugge
Circle of Trust
Exercise description Everyone stands in a circle with one person in the middle (make sure to start off with someone from the training team). The person in the middle stands with eyes closed, their bod
Collective Narratives About the 1990s Wars
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description The participants split into smaller groups based on the countries they come from. Their task is to make a wall newspaper with the basic
Come and Go
Exercise description Participants are divided into two groups – group A and group B. The groups line up to face each other with a few metres between the lines so that each person in one group has a co
Commendations
Materials: Paper and pencils Exercise description The participants write a commendation for a person they know on a piece of paper. All the papers are collected into a “hat”. The trainer pulls
Concentric Circles of Introduction
The chairs are set up in two concentric circles, so that each chair in one circle faces a chair in the other (see illustration). The number of chairs is equal to the number of participants. The partic
Conflict and Modelling Clay
Materials: Modelling clay Exercise description The participants use modelling clay and plasticine to make a sculpture about conflict. An exhibition of sculptures is set up where everyone presents thei
Conflict Barometer
Exercise description The barometer method Suggested statements for the barometer: Every conflict is bad. Conflict is the same as violence. You should show your emotions in a conflict. The victim also
Controlled Dialogue*
Exercise description Using the barometer set-up with the poles of Strongly Agree and Strongly Disagree, find pairs with different opinions and an observer for each pair. Barometer method: Determine tw
Cooperation Agreement
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Participants give suggestions for terms of the Cooperation Agreement. Someone from the training team writes these down so everyone can s
Creating a Certificate
Materials: Coloured paper, pencils, small pieces of paper with the names of everyone written on them, “hat” Exercise description Write the names of everyone present beforehand on small pieces o
Criteria for Activists (“Dub” Island)
Materials: Large pieces of paper, markers Exercise description Step 1. Divide into three groups. The task is for the participants to determine which criteria people involved with peacebuilding should
Culture of Memory Before and After the 1990s
Materials: Flipchart paper, marker Exercise description Plenary discussion about characteristics of the culture of memory before the 1990s and after the wars. One member of the training team wr
Cutting Paper
Materials: Large paper and scissors Exercise description Call for volunteers who want to participate in the exercise, a total of seven people. Their task is to first think of a paper sha
Dealing with the Past Barometer
Exercise description Barometer method Suggestions of issues: There is no such thing as collective responsibility. It would be best for international tribunals to prosecute war crimes. We must n
Dealing with the Past Fishbowl
Exercise description The fishbowl method is described in detail at the beginning of this section on p. 65. There are four chairs in the fishbowl: three are taken up by people who want to discus
Dealing with the Past in My Society
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description The participants split into groups based on the countries they come from. Their task is to prepare a presentation on the state of dealin
Decision Making Model
Exercise description Split into two groups. In both groups one to two people have the role of observers of the decision- making process (volunteers). The groups are given the task of making a decision
Definition of Violence
Materials: Paper and pencils Exercise description Split into pairs or threes. Each pair or group of three is to come up with their definition of violence. The definitions are read out in the pl
Definitions of Conflict
Materials: Paper/card, multiple sheets for each participant Exercise description The participants take one or more cards and legibly write out their answer to the question: “What is conflict?” They wr
Delegating Exercise
Materials: Prepared index cards with more information for the groups Exercise description Split into three groups: “Drama”, “Music” and “Computers/English”. Story: “The youth centre in a small B
Denial, Justification, Truth Seeking
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description The participants split into three smaller groups, each of which is to work on a wall newspaper addressing one of the following types of
Developing Ideas About Peace/Nonviolent Activism
Materials: A few copies of the questionnaire, a large piece of paper, markers Exercise description Divide the participants into smaller groups. Each group should talk through ideas for peace ac
Developing Ideas About Peace/Nonviolent Activism 2
Exercise description Divide the participants into smaller groups. Participants develop the idea and plan how to implement peace activities using a catalogue of questions as a basis. Then they present
Discrimination against Women and Discrimination against Men
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description The participants split into four groups: two of just men and two of just women. One men’s and one women’s group (independently) write ou
Documentary from the Series on Simulated Dialogue
Materials: Equipment to show and watch the film Exercise description The documentary series Simulated Dialogue* establishes indirect dialogue between people from the Balkans. Each of the films deals w
Drawing Battle
Materials: Paper and pencils Exercise description Everyone splits up into pairs of person A and person B. The participants are asked not to talk during the exercise. All the A persons are taken aside
Drawing by Instruction
Materials: Paper and pencils Exercise description Everyone gets a sheet of paper and pencil. The trainer gives instructions for drawing geometric shapes that will make up a concrete drawing. A
Drawing on Your Neighbour’s Back
Materials: Paper and pencils Exercise description Everyone stands in a circle and turns sideways so that they are looking at the back of the person next to them. One person draws something with
Driver
The participants pair up. Person A is in front and has their eyes closed. Person B is the driver who drives by giving the following signals: squeezing the left shoulder means turn left, squeezing the
Elephant Walk
Materials: Blindfolds, tables, chairs, textiles, other props Exercise description Before the workshop, ask participants to bring something to the workshop that they can use as a blindfold (a sc
Enemy images
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Split into groups according to the participant’s home country/region. Step 1. The participants are instructed to list the groups their environm
Enemy images 2
Split into three smaller groups: The participants discuss: Who are the enemies in our societies, who are the “others”? What are images of the enemy used for? Who constructs these images, how and why?
Example of an Evaluation Questionnaire
What was the most significant experience for you at the training? What do you think you got with this training that you can put to use in the community you live in? Which workshops/topic did yo
Exercise with Tasks (2)
Materials: Prepared envelopes with tasks, Paper, pencils, Flipchart paper, markers, other Exercise description There are 18 tasks in the workroom, one for each participant. The participants sh
Exercise with Tasks*
Materials: Prepared envelopes with tasks, Paper, pencils, Flipchart paper, markers, other Exercise description The participants are given envelopes containing descriptions of tasks. The tasks a
Expectations From Peace Activists
Materials: Paper, pencils Exercise description This exercise may be carried out together with the exercise Criteria for Activists (“Dub” Island), or independently from it. Version 1: A piece of paper
Exploring Expectations: Travel Bag
The participants draw a travel bag on the paper. They divide it into two equal parts. In one part they list What I brought to this training and in the other What I would like to take with me. They pre
Exploring Expectations: Tree of Expectations
Distribute the post-its. Give the participants a few minutes to write down their answers to the following questions: ͳ What would I like to see happen in this training? (on post-its of one colour, e.g
Falling
Materials: Table or chair Exercise description A volunteer stands on a table or chair. They stand with their body upright and their arms by their side. Then they fall backwards (with their back
Family Narratives
Exercise description Everyone has ten minutes to think about and note down an outline of narratives they heard in their family about the Second World War and the wars of the 1990s. Additional q
Fear Statues
Duration: 70 minutes Exercise description Split into three groups. The groups are separated into different rooms or spaces and given the task to prepare a statue about fear, paying particular a
Feedback in Pairs
Exercise description Before the exercise, briefly introduce the notion of feedback, its rules and purpose. This is an opportunity to give each other feedback and to receive it. We approach a person we
Finishing Sentences
Materials: Big paper, felt-tips Exercise description Big pieces of paper are everywhere on the ground and there is a sentence that has been started on each of them. Participants go up to them a
First Round
Materials: Chairs Exercise description The chairs are set up in two concentric circles, so that each chair in the inner circle faces a chair in the outer circle (see illustration). The number o
Fishbowl
The Fishbowlis a method for discussing a topic or making a decision. The participants sit in a circle with four to six chairs placed in the middle of the circle to represent the “fishbowl”. During the
Fishbowl: Agreement on Working Together
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Fishbowl Method Step 1 – Split into three groups. Each group prepares a proposal for an agreement on working together. Each group chooses two r
Five Minutes of Power Over You*
Materials: Paper and pencils Exercise description Divide the group up into pairs. The instructions are: “Decide which one of you will have power over the other person for the next five minutes. If eve
Fortress*
The participants split into two groups. One group will be in the “fortress” and the other will be outside trying to get in. Both groups have 15 minutes to prepare a strategy in separate rooms. Additio
Forum Theatre
Set of Introductory Exercises for the Theatre of the Oppressed Driver Leading by the Palm Leading by Sound Magical Object Linking Statues Duration: 35 minutes Setting the Play Duration: 60 minu
Four Colours, Drawing Exercise
Materials: 4 flipchart papers; felt-tip pens, colouring pencils or crayons; questionnaire printout for each participant Exercise description Split into small groups of four. The participants pick a co
Fulfilled and Unfulfilled Expectations
Materials: Big paper, felt-tips Exercise description This exercise can be done if at the beginning of the training the participants wrote down their expectations for the training. Draw a big ci
Grimace Circle
The participants stand in a circle. One person begins by turning to the person on their right and making a grimace (and/or a movement). That person now has to repeat this grimace before turning to the
Hot Seats
The chairs are arranged into a horseshoe. Three chairs are set apart as “hot seats” so that everyone sitting in the horseshoe can see them well (see illustration). The only chair from which you can sp
Hotels
Exercise description Task: “You are in the role of participants in peacebuilding training. Your task is to decide where the next stage of the training will be held. The training team will not facilita
How Do I See the Next Five Years of My Life?
Materials: Paper, felt-tip pens, colouring pencils Exercise description Everyone should think for themselves about where they see themselves in the next five years and then make a graphic repre
How I Became a Man/Woman
Materials: Copies of the questionnaire Exercise description The participants split into smaller groups of four or five. Their task is to discuss in their small groups: “How I became a man/woman. What
How I See Peacebuilding
Exercise description Split into smaller groups. Questions for discussion and preparing a presentation: What is peacebuilding for me? Values we connect to peacebuilding. Reasons why peacebuilding is re
How the war marked my life
Materials: Chairs The hot seats method Use the hot seats method. The task is to use the item they have selected and brought along to tell their story about “How the war marked my life.”
How We’re Mutually Connected
Exercise description One person stands in the middle of the room and invites someone from the group to briefly explain what connects them. Both persons now remain in the middle of the room, but now th
I Am Telling You a Story
An exercise for waking up the imagination. Prepare cards (papers) so that each has one word written on it (nouns). The number of cards is three times bigger than the number of participants. Everyone p
I Compete When…
Materials: Flipchart paper, pens Exercise description Split into three groups. Each group is tasked with preparing a wall newspaper about one of the following topics: – I compete when… – I run away
I Will Remember
Materials: Several large pieces of paper, felt-tip pens Exercise description Use several large flipchart papers to make a “path” long enough so that several people can approach it at once and w
I Will… / I Need…
Materials: Different coloured post-its, pencils Exercise description Distribute several post-its in various colours to participants. Participants should think about what they have gained from t
I Wish Women/Men Were…
I’m Sorry…
Materials: Chairs Exercise description The hot seats method The person sitting in the hot seat in the middle tells their story about “I’m sorry that…” which is related to the past wars and th
Iceberg
Materials: Flipchart paper, felt-tip pens, markers Exercise description The trainer introduces the meaning of the term “iceberg”. The iceberg is a symbolic representation of what we show and what we c
Identity Barometer
Exercise description The barometer method Suggested statements for the barometer: I am a patriot. I have a better understanding with people of my religion. Conflicts are inevitable among people of dif
Insider/Outsider*
Exercise description The participants split into two groups of roughly the same size. One group should be asked to leave the room until they are invited back inside. The trainer does a fun exercise (t
Introductions in Pairs
Everyone stands in a circle. The trainer tells the participants to find a partner with whom they believe they have the most in common and then sets a topic for discussion in pairs. For each new topic,
Jigsaw Puzzle*
Exercise description The participants split into groups of five (the remaining participants can be observers). Everyone stays in the same room, but the groups sit in separate circles. It would be best
Journal
Materials: Notebook, pencil 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 sha
Justice, Forgiveness, Truth, Peace
Exercise description Pairs of participants are tasked with advocating (i.e. speaking in favour of) one of the following terms: justice, forgiveness (or mercy), truth, or peace. These are the four elem
Justice, Forgiveness, Truth, Reconciliation*
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description The participants split into four small groups: justice, forgiveness, truth, and reconciliation. The groups discuss and prepare a present
Labyrinth
Materials: Blindfolds, chairs Exercise description Divide into small groups of six or seven people. In each group, one person wears a blindfold. Using chairs, the others make a small labyrinth
Labyrinth of reconciliation
Divided in groups of 5-6, participants receive 20-30 notions written on paper strips, that ought to be categorized whether they belong to the reconciliation process and if not, explain why not. Time:
Large Barometer
The Large Barometer uses a larger number of statements (20–40) – at least as many as there are participants and up to twice as many. It is important that the prepared statements are relevant to the gr
Large barometer: Peacebuilding
Materials: Prepared pieces of paper with statements (see exercise description) The large barometer method. The poles of the barometer are “Is peacebuilding” and “Is not peacebuilding”. Some statements
Large Barometer: Violence
Materials: Pieces of paper prepared with statements (see exercise description) Exercise description The Large Barometer method Some statements for the barometer: 1. Balkan countries are rac
Large Barometer: What Does (Not) Contribute to Dealing with the Past?
Materials: Prepared papers with statements (see exercise description) Exercise description The large barometer method The poles for the barometer are: “Contributes to dealing with the past” and
Large Barometer: What Is/Is Not Ethical?
Materials: Prepared papers with statements (see exercise description) The large barometer method Exercise description The poles of the barometer are “Is ethical” and “Is not ethical”. So
Leadership Barometer
Exercise description The barometer method Go through three to five statements. Suggested statements for the barometer: A leader must be a figure of authority. Any complex task requires a
Leading by Sound
The participants pair up. The pairs choose a sound (for example, onomatopoeia, an exclamation) that they will use to recognise each other. Person A in each group has the task of leading Person B using
Leading by the Palm
The group is divided into pairs. In each pair, one participant leads by holding their palm at a certain distance (5–10 cm) from their partner’s face. The distance from the face to the palm has to be a
Left and Right Hand Signatures
Exercise description Paper and pencils are distributed to the participants and they are asked to sign their name. Then they are supposed to use one word to describe how it felt while someone from the
Let Me Introduce Myself
Everyone takes a sheet of paper. They write their name in the middle. Then they write: in the upper left corner: how I feel at the moment in the upper right corner: two things I like to do in the bott
Let Me Introduce You
The participants split into pairs. Everyone tells their partner some information about themselves. The other person listens carefully and tries to commit this information to memory. They then switch r
Let Me Tell You a Picture
Materials: A picture with a lot of details Exercise description The participants split into three groups. A volunteer from each group leaves the room. The trainer shows the volunteers a picture
Life on an Island
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description The participants split into small groups (of 5 to 7 people). They are told that they find themselves on a desert island – each small group on i
Linking Statues
Everyone stands in a wide circle. One person makes a statue in the centre of the circle and the first person who has an idea about making a joint statue with the one that they see comes into the circl
Magazine Analysis
Materials: Daily newspapers, weeklies, magazines Exercise description Split into three groups: one “female”, one “male” and one “mixed”. Work in groups. Instructions for the working groups: “Yo
Magic Box
One by one, people draw an “invisible object” (i.e. an imaginary one) from the “magic box” (which can be a box, a hat or something similar). They use mime to reveal what it is to the others, who must
Magical Object
Everyone stands in a circle. The trainer says that they have a magical object that transforms as soon as it changes hands: it changes its shape, size, weight, smell, turns into a different object. The
Mapping the Patriarchy and Militarism
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Split into two groups. One group is to map the patriarchy and the other is to map militarism in our societies. They should also prepare
Marching*
Materials: Music Exercise description Choose a piece of music beforehand that all the participants might like and make sure you have the means to play it. Ask for a volunteer (someone who can challeng
Memorialisation: Monuments
Materials: Photographs of monuments, flipchart paper, marker Exercise description Step1. Prepare wall newspapers in the plenary about: “What are monuments for? What is their purpose? Who do we
Memorialisation: Monuments 2
Materials: Photographs of monuments, flipchart paper, marker Exercise description Step1. In smaller groups, start a discussion about the function of existing forms of memorialisation. Prepare a wall n
Method Barometer
Prepare statements beforehand based on the topic. Determine two “poles” (end positions) in the room: for instance, one wall can stand for one pole (strong agreement with a statement) and the opposite
Multicoloured Barometer about Dealing with the Past
Materials: Coloured paper, papers with statements prepared beforehand Exercise description A few sets of papers are prepared beforehand, each with a statement/sentence. The papers should be of
Multicoloured Eyes
Type of exercise: Multicoloured barometer Exercise description Materials: Coloured paper, papers with statements prepared beforehand A few sets of papers are prepared beforehand, each with a statement
Musical Chairs
Materials: Chairs, a music-playing device, flipchart paper, marker, multicoloured paper Exercise description A few days beforehand, the participants are split into four groups. The training tea
My Attitude to Conflict
Materials: Paper, felt-tip pens Exercise description Ask the participants to write down three associations about conflict, one per piece of paper. Then the papers are laid out on the floor in the midd
My Conflicts
Materials: Paper and pencils Exercise description Everyone should think of a conflict they were involved in, specifically: a conflict that isn’t yours, but you’re implicated in it; a conflict you like
My Contribution to Reconciliation
Exercise description The task is for each participant to say what they see as their contribution to reconciliation, taking turns around the circle. Before they start, they should be given some time to
My Definition of Peace
Materials: Different coloured paper, felt-tip pens Exercise description Everyone in the group writes their definition of peace on a different coloured piece of paper. Then a “colourful sea” of
My Foreign Friend
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers, felt-tip pens Exercise description Determine categories beforehand and write them out as titles on flipchart papers/wall newspapers. Examples of categories: my fri
My Name
Each person in the circle says their name and tells a story about it: what it means, how it was given to them, who gave it to them etc.
My Name Means
Each person in the circle says their name and what it means.
My Path Up to Here
On a blank sheet of paper, everyone draws an arrow that illustrates the course of their life, “my path up to here”, and marks important events on this timeline. Time for drawing is up to five minutes.
My Questions About Gender Roles in Society/Gender Equality
Materials: Paper and pencils Everyone writes down their questions about the topic of the workshop. Then three small groups are formed: “female” – for women who want to talk with women “male” – for men
My Safe Space
Materials: Paper, coloured Paper, felt-tip pens, crayons, magazines, glue, scissors, etc. Exercise description Everyone works independently on a drawing or a collage about “My Safe Space”. The
My Three Identities
Materials: Paper and pencils Exercise description Everyone writes down a few of their identities and then chooses three to read out loud. Then one person stands up and reads their identities on
National Identity and Other Identities
Materials: Papers with a circle drawn on them, felt-tip pens Exercise description Everyone gets a paper with a circle drawn on it. The task is to make an identity “pie-chart”. In addition to national
National Identity Questionnaire
Materials: Printout of the questionnaire for all the participants. Exercise description All participants are given a copy of the questionnaire. The trainer asks the participants to think back a
News from the Future
Materials: “News from the Future” prepared in advance Exercise description Read out the following three pieces of “news from the future”: 1. The Association of BiH Army Veterans welcomed the Bi
Obstacles in Work: Situations
Materials: Handouts with situations Exercise description Divide into three groups. Each small group is given two situation scenarios (of the three described below), which they need to examine.
One – Two – Three
Step 1. Participants pair up. In their pairs they count together: they take turns to count to three and then they start again from one. (A: “One”, B: “Two”, A: “Three”, B: “One”, A: “Two”…) This las
One of My Needs
Exercise description Everyone stands in a circle and everyone has the opportunity to express one of the needs that they have in terms of the group.
One Word
Materials: Big paper, felt-tips 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
Open Nights
The Open Nights are conceived of as an additional opportunity for team work outside of the planned thematic part of the training. Open Nights have become a significant segment of the Training for Trai
Open Space
This exercise enables the participants to create the content of the workshop. During the previous day, tell the participants to think about a topic or issue they want to discuss, how they would approa
Open Team
The Open Team are evaluation meetings by the training team after each work day that two or three participants can join. The Open Team gives the team an opportunity to hear suggestions and questions th
Opening the Fist*
Exercise description Divide participants into pairs. Person A in the pair has a clenched fist and person B has the task of opening the other person’s fist. Then the roles reverse. Evaluation Su
Oral Evaluation of the Training
Exercise description 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 trainin
Participants’ Expectations
Hand out the different coloured post-its. Give the participants a few minutes to write down their answers to the following questions: – What do I expect from this training? – What do I expect from mys
Parting Envelopes
Materials: Envelopes, paper, pencils 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
Past, Future
Materials: Paper, felt-tip pens Exercise description Task: Pair up. 1) Think of at least three to five important moments in your relationship to peacebuilding so far. Write each on a separate p
Peacebuilding and Me
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers, felt-tip pens Exercise description Everyone thinks about the following questions on their own: “Things that confuse and annoy me the most about peacebuildin
Peacebuilding Priorities in Different Countries
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description The participants split based on the countries they come from. Their task is to define the priorities of peacebuilding in their countries
Places that are Important to Me (The Map)
A map of the former Yugoslavia, Europe or the world (it can be a geographic map, road map or just contours drawn on flipchart paper) is put up on the wall. Participants approach the map one by one and
Planet
Materials: Paper, pencils Exercise description Check that everyone has a paper and pencil and then slowly and clearly read the background story at least twice. Story: “A new planet has been discovered
Planning Work on Peacebuilding in the Local Community
Materials: A few copies of the handout, a large piece of paper, markers Exercise description Step 1. Three participants from different communities are given a task beforehand (a few days) to
Plenary Presentations with Started Sentences
Everyone sits in a circle. The started sentences are displayed so everyone can see them. One by one, each person introduces themselves in plenary and completes the started sentences: ͳ My name is… ͳ
Powerful Chair
Materials: Chair Exercise description One chair is turned to face the whole group. One by one participants take this seat and call out several sentences that start with: “I have the power to…
Practising “I-speech” in Pairs
Exercise description Split into pairs. Instructions: Think about a situation that made you angry, explain the circumstances to your partner and role play your initial reaction. Your partner should res
Practising “I-speech” through Role Play
Exercise description Participants are divided into four groups (of four or five participants). They have 10 minutes to come up with a short conflict role play. It would be best to do something from pe
Prejudice about Ethnic/National Groups
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Step One (prejudice about your own group): The participants split into groups according to ethnicity. Each group should write on the wal
Prejudice against Me and My Prejudice
Exercise description Divide the participants into small groups to discuss two topics. Prejudice against me: Each of the participants describes to their group an experience when someone treated them wi
Prejudice Barometer
Exercise description The barometer method Suggested statements for the barometer: I have prejudice. I have the right to my prejudice. Prejudice leads to discrimination.
Presenting a Model of Behaviour in Conflicts
Presidential Elections
Materials: Paper and pencils Exercise description The participants split into two groups: the “candidates” (five or six persons) and the “voters”. The candidates have two to three minutes to come up w
Pros and Cons
Materials: Large pieces of paper, markers Exercise description Division into small three groups. Step 1. Question: What would those who are against these kinds of meetings say to us? List and wrote on
Questions and Dilemmas I Am Trying to Solve
Flipchart papers are placed on the floor. The participants write their questions and/or dilemmas on them (relevant to the topic of the training). After ten minutes or so, someone from the training tea
Questions I’m Not Supposed to Ask
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Split into groups according to the participants’ home countries. The task is to prepare a wall newspaper about “Questions I’m not suppos
Quick Situations
Exercise description Read out a scenario (that simply demands a response) and ask the question: “What do you do?” The participants share their ideas about possible reactions. The goal isn’t to determi
Quick Situations (A version for war veterans)
Exercise description This exercise unfolds the same way as the Quick Situations exercise but this one is specifically tailored to groups of war veterans. You get a call from an association of veterans
Reconciliation and Me
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Flipchart papers are laid out on the floor, each with one of the following questions: What is my biggest challenge in reconciliation? Wi
Reconciliation Barometer
Exercise description Method barometar Suggestions of issues: Nation building is part of the reconciliation process. Recognising that an injustice has been committed and apologising are preconditions f
Reconciliation Fishbowl
Exercise description The fishbowl method is described in detail at the beginning of this section on p. 65. There are four chairs in the fishbowl. They are taken by people who want to discuss th
Reconciliation Has Arrived!
Materials: Multicoloured post-its, pencils, Flipchart paper Exercise description Everyone gets a few multicoloured post-its (have extra post-its on hand if needed). The task is to imagine that
Reflection and Analysis of Teamwork
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Step 1 – Everyone thinks individually about the following: How satisfied am I with my behaviour in teamwork? How satisfied am I with the behav
Reflection Groups
The Reflection Groups are conceived of as a space for reflection and exchange among participants without the presence of the trainers. They are formed during the first or second day of the training an
Rotating Threes
Groups of three chairs are set up to make a circle (see illustration). Participants that make up the group of three are divided into person A, person B and person C. The chairs may be marked as A, B a
Rotating Triplets of Peace Activism
Exercise description Type of exercise: Rotating Triplets Possible questions: How would you describe the work in your organisation to your neighbour (someone who knows nothing about it)? What is
Second Glance
Exercise description Step 1: View of the conflict from the perspective of group A – others speaking Place two chairs in front of the others and invite two people who are not of nationality A, but belo
Shame and Pride in the Narratives of My Society
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Split into small groups based on ethnicity. The task is to prepare wall newspapers about: “Shame in the Narratives of My Society” and “Pride in
Similarities and Differences
Exercise description The participants fill out the worksheet (15 minutes) with the following questions: Three things that I have in common with the rest of the group; Three things that I have in commo
Similarities and Differences 2*
Materials: Worksheets, pencils Exercise description The participants are given copies of the worksheet with the following questions: Three things I like Three things I don’t like ͳ Three things we lik
Situations When I Had Power
Materials: Large piece of paper, markers Exercise description Divide into small groups. Topics for discussion: ͳ A situation when you had power and how you felt about it. ͳ A situation when you
Situations When We Were Afraid
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Split into small groups of three or four. In small groups, discuss the topic: “A situation when I felt fear”. Back in plenary, prepare a
Small and Big Animals
Everyone should silently think of their favourite animal (or any animal). The task is for everyone to line up from smallest to biggest animal without talking and only by imitating the animal they have
Small Groups Discussion about Communication
Exercise description Split into small groups (of 4, for example). Discussion topics: How do I react when I’m bothered by someone’s way of communicating (use concrete examples)? A good reaction in my
Smarties
Materials: A few hundred Smarties(or similar sweets) and small dishes for all the participants Exercise description The whole group sits in a semicircle and everyone takes a small dish. Before the sta
Social Groups, Power and Privilege
Materials: Large pieces of paper, felt-tips Exercise description Step 1. In plenary put together a wall newspaper on the topic of “Which social groups have more power in our societies?” Step 2.
Squares, Dots
Materials: Coloured stickers of different colours (squares, dots, etc.) Exercise description Every participant gets a sticker on his/her forehead without seeing what the sticker is. For
Statue Theatre: Women, Men
Exercise description The participants split into two female and two male groups. Each group should prepare a statue, but the topic for one female and one male group is Women, while the topic fo
Statues Theatre
The main difference between forum theatre and statue theatre is that statue theatre involves setting up human bodies as statues (immobile scenes without sound), while forum theatre is about role play
Strengths and Weaknesses in Ways of Decision Making
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description Split into four small groups. Each group is assigned one way of decision making: compromise, consensus, voting and “follow the leader”. The tas
Structures*
Divide into groups of four or five. Each group should “build” the given structure by linking themselves up. The structures can be: a bridge, a tree, a school, a plane, a bus, a ship, a tower, a temple
Suggestions for the Next Training
Materials: Big paper, felt-tips 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 o
Swamp
Materials: Masking tape Exercise description A grid of squares is drawn on the floor, 6 x 8 squares It can be made by using masking tape. Each square should be big enough to allow a person to stand in
Taboos
Materials: Flipchart paper, marker Exercise description The whole group works together to produce a wall newspaper about: “What taboos are present in our society about the violent past?” This i
Targets
Materials: A big paper with targets drawn on it, felt-tips or small stickers Exercise description Draw targets on the big pieces of paper beforehand (see image). Above each target is one of the
Telling It*
Exercise description The trainer asks the participants to sit in a circle. When everyone is seated comfortably, the exercise procedures are set up as are the rules of the discussion. The trainer then
The Attitude of Our Societies to the Past
Exercise description Discussion in small groups of four or five people (mixed in terms of region, nationality and age) about: “How does your community deal with a painful past? What from the past is b
The Heroes
Materials: Flipchart paper, markers Exercise description The participants split into small groups based on nationality: Albanians, Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, Macedonians, etc. Each group should m
The Heroes 2
Subject: Personal heroes. Participants work individually and write down who their heroes were during childhood and who they are now. . They split into small groups (made up of people from different re
The Media Image of the Past
Materials: Different daily newspapers and political magazines from the region, Flipchart paper, scissors, glue Exercise description Split into three groups. Each group gets a few different dail
The War and I
Materials: Chairs The hot seats method The person sitting in the hot seat in the middle has the task to tell their story about “The War and I”.
Then they discuss in small groups, without feedback in the plenary.
Exercise description Split into small groups (of four, for example). Discussion topics: – What do I find hardest in conflicts? – What dilemmas do I have? – In which situations do I find myself at a lo
Theoretical Summary: Principles of Nonviolent Communication
Materials: Flipchart Exercise description The trainer briefly introduces the principles of nonviolent communication and various techniques (I-speech, active listening, open-ended questions)
Things I (Don’t) Like About Myself / About Others in Teamwork…
Materials: Post-its, flipchart paper Exercise description Everyone is given a few post-its. Each person writes down their answers to the following questions: What have I noticed about myself in the pa
Third Time*
Materials: A lot of newspapers, 10 rolls of sticky tape or masking tape, paper, pencils Exercise description Introductory directions: “Find a pair for this experiential exercise, which is challenging
This Picture Speaks about Me
The collection of postcards and photographs is placed in the centre of the circle. Everyone has a few minutes to look through them and pick one that speaks about them in some way. When everyone is bac
Three Events that Affected My Engagement
A timeline is drawn on the board or flipchart representing three periods: before the war; during the war; after the war. For each of the three periods, each participant writes an event on a post-it th
To My Wall
Exercise description Split into two groups. The groups line up facing each other so that each person from one group has a pair from the other. The pairs stand with their arms stretched out in front of
Tower
Materials: A few pairs of scissors and sticky tape, old newspapers or used flipchart paper Exercise description The participants split into groups of four or five people. All the groups stay in the sa
Training Motivation
Going around in a circle, each person answers the questions: Why did you decide to attend this training? What attracted you and motivated you?
Tram
Materials: Five chairs Exercise description Set up five chairs next to each other (like seats on a tram) so that the whole group can see them. The second and fourth chair are reserved for women and th
Twenty Minutes of Blindness
Materials: Blindfolds for all participants (scarves, kerchiefs) Exercise description Slowly and clearly read the instructions: “The whole group will spend 20 minutes doing as they please. You c
Uncomfortable Chairs*
Exercise description All the participants receive a card with one of the following instructions: “Put all the chairs in a circle. You have 10 minutes to complete the task.” “Put all the chairs by the
Using a Chart to Analyse Conflict
Materials: Printed out charts for all participants Exercise description The participants are handed out copies of the conflict analysis chart. Their task is to think of a conflict they were involved i
Venn Diagrams (Sets)
Materials: Papers with Venn diagrams (sets) Everyone receives a handout with as many Venn diagrams (three ellipses that intersect, see picture) as there are participants. Write the name of one person
Violence According to Galtung, Structural and Cultural Violence
Read more: Kobe jstor
Violence Barometer
Exercise description Suggested statements for the barometer: If I felt under threat, I would use violence in such circumstances. Better violence than cowardice. A victim can be the perpetrator of viol
Voting on a Verdict
Materials: Two charts of voting outcomes (see annex), a lot of small notes of equal size to serve as ballots, two flipchart papers to record the voting results Exercise description The particip
Wall Newspaper
Wall newspapers function similarly to brainstorming, with the facilitator not only acting as a recorder, but moderating the process during which participants present writing suggestions and ask clarif
Wall Newspaper: Conflicts
Wall Newspaper: Conflicts Arise Because of… Duration: 5–10 minutes Wall Newspaper: Types of Behaviour in Conflicts Duration: 5–10 minutes