“ Young professionals! Say no to bullies!!!”
It must be remembered that adults learn more efficiently through empirical techniques. Of course not all aspect of the course content can be taught empirically, but the methodology and techniques should be versatile so that the participants can have a chance of experiencing particular scenarios, and consider what they would do in a particular situation. It is also possible to convey hard knowledge through different methods of group teaching, collective analyses and discussion. Such techniques should be used as often as possible.
In order to prepare exercise for the workshop on counteraction against mobbing and discrimination verify if you can determine the following aspects of the exercise:
� The subject – what aspects are to be raised in the exercise? � Aims – what are the participants to learn, or to get to know? What are they to consider? What are they to experience? � Time – how long should be the exercise? � Resources – what resources do you need to realise the exercise? � Methods – what methods are you going to use?
Depending on the group, aims, and duration, the participants may be encouraged to get to know each other. As mobbing and discrimination are difficult subjects, getting to know each other may help the participants to open themselves so that they can fully benefit from the course. It is essential to be fully aware of what we want to achieve and how much time we have. Sometimes it is necessary to leave out certain topics. The classes and meeting should be prepared realistically so that we can have enough time to realize the program.
In the classes on discrimination it is very important to be aware that everybody discriminates and everybody can be discriminated. Presenting a chain reaction of discrimination may help to understand its mechanisms, whereas being put into the role of the discriminated may help to realize that the discrimination does exist. The application of role-play and identifying with the members of the discriminated groups are very precious and eye-opening experiences. However, it is very important to be observant and vigilant so as to see and control how the participants perform their tasks. It must be remembered that we are all different, groups comprise of various people and the successful realization of exercises depends on the involvement and openness of the participants, interactions between them, and the group processes.
Apart from workshops / meetings that raise awareness of mobbing and discrimination problems, it is equally important to attract people’ s attention by posters, websites, or even short notes that may raise interest. It should be done in the countries where the mentioned problems have not been thoroughly discussed, and the media might be interested in propagating the issue. It depends on us what approach we take.
What is the most important is to make local communities aware of the existence of discrimination and mobbing.
Good luck!
' Informational and workshop guide for mobbing, discrimination and sexual harassment '
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