#visioningthefuture

Yesterday we reflected a lot on our communication skills. We started out by doing a Hassle line, where we were supposed to imagine that we were at a protest, and on two different sides. The topic that we were given to discuss was abortion. Then we shifted and everyone had to try to be either pro-life or pro-choice. When we were given the assignment, it was already very clear that some people had their own opinion, almost to the point where they could not pretend to support the opposite, for the sake of the assignment. Afterwards we all sat down and reflected over what we thought and felt about the communication, the exercise and the topic. The topic was handled very respectfully, and we had a good talk. 

Afterwards we went directly on to have a formal debate, with practice in listening and research when it comes to arguing. This time the topic of the debate was immigration and welcoming refugees. 

The biggest difference between the two exercises was the way we created our arguments: at the demonstration there was just someone standing yelling in your face, with no intention of changing their own opinion, where in a debate you are forced to base arguments on research and listen to your opponent.

Then we learned about the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals through a Trivia. Finally, we created collages in teams using recycled newspapers and magazines. The goal of this activity was to identify the challenges that we face today and prevent us from achieving those SDGs, and how to improve them. 

In the evening some of us played ultimate frisbee while others learned how to dance flamenco.

It was really fun to do, and it was a good day ( :

Atlanta Koplev