If you were a…?
Basic Info
If you were a…?
During participatory workshops citizens work together for several hours – or even days – so it's important that people get to know each other and feel comfortable in each other's company. It is also useful to understand what different personalities and skills people bring to the process. However, the more traditional introductions – where people state their place of origin, age, what they do in their lives – rarely bring out things relevant to the process at hand. To challenge participants, you can invite them to a role-playing game, where the imagined character brings out some of their qualities. By letting participants talk about themselves in an indirect and playful manner, it creates a safe space for introductions. Finally, it can also function as a warm-up exercise for using creative skills and imagination throughout the process.
Stage: Opening
Format: In person, Online, Hybrid
Work Modality: Large groups, Plenary
Location: Outdoor, Indoor
Duration: 60mins
Topic(s): Pollinators
Preparations
Participants should sit in a circle with a large sheet of paper (flipchart paper should do) in the middle. You can write the question on the sheet of paper in the middle so everyone can see.
Tools
Tools: Post-its, Pens, crayons etc..., Flipchart, Notepads, Tables and chairs
Other Tools: Scissors, Glue
Team
Team: Facilitator / moderator, Visual artist
Comments on Team
You can use a lot of drawing in this activity if your participants feel comfortable about this. In such case you might want to involve an illustrator, who can provide support. Make sure, however, that people do not put too much attention on the aesthetic quality of drawings and focus on the meaning.
Process
Start by asking participants a question: 'If you were a X, what would you be?'. You can ask for instance 'If you were a plant or an animal', or 'If you were a part of a farm' or 'if you were a part of a city'. The idea is to make the question relevant for the discussion topic and the audience. If needed, take time to explain the connection between the question and the topic, though the more evident this is the better. Give people a minute or two to think about it silently. Then ask participants to draw the answer (5-10 min). When everyone is done, go around the circle inviting each participant to explain why they made their specific choice, what it represents for them, why they think it’s important. For a simpler version of this activity, you can use a pre-made collection of cards, like the ones in the photo, from which participants can pick and chose an animal (or an object), which best represents them.When everyone is done speaking, invite the group to create a collage by putting together all the individual elements to make – depending on the metaphor used - an ecosystem, a farm, a city... (15 min) Encourage participants to discuss how the different parts fit together and to make adjustments if they think necessary. Once finished, the design becomes a metaphorical representation of the group, showing its qualities and strengths. Take some time to reflect as a group what the image makes them think and feel, what associations it triggers (10 min).
Compatibility
This can be a great warm-up activity if you plan to use drawing a lot during the event. In such case it is worth spending some more time, letting participants get comfortable with this way of expressing themselves.