Select Committee on Northern Ireland Affairs Minutes of Evidence


Annex III

Programme Content

  The Young Citizens for Peace Programme has been designed to provide a balanced learning experience including:

(a)  Learning Sessions

  Many of the concepts and terms used in the programme (eg human rights, global conflict etc.) are introduced to participants for the first time, therefore a certain amount of classroom-style explanation is required from the facilitators to ensure that every participant has a full understanding of each term/concept before a more in-depth discussion or workshop takes place.

(b)  Learning Games

  Game playing can be one of the most effective ways of engaging participants with a subject. The Young Citizens at Peace Programme uses learning games to great effect in introducing in particular concepts of world citizenship, global trade and discrimination to participants.

(c)  Role-Play

  This is another effective tool which is used for engaging participants with a particular subject. Literally encouraging young people to play the role of someone else, perhaps someone from a background greatly diverse to their own, can be a wonderful way of creating new perspectives for participants. In one session, participants are asked to play the role of refugees and immigration officers, which leads on to a group discussion.

(d)  Guest Speakers

  Each guest speaker for the Young Citizens at Peace Programme speaks to the young participants about their own personal experiences as a result of conflict. We aim to have three speakers; a victim of conflict, a former combatant and a political party activist who give an insight into how conflict can affect communities and individuals at the deepest level.

(e)  Discussion Groups

  At all times throughout the programme the active participation of every young person is encouraged. Due to the fact that many of the concepts and issues contained within the programme are introduced to many of the participants for the first time, facilitators seek to create a learning environment which encourages participation from every individual, without placing the spotlight on any one person. When delivering the programme, strong emphasis is placed by the facilitators on the value of small group discussion rather than asking the participants to debate the issues at hand within the larger group. This has the advantage that participants feel more comfortable in expressing opinions and ideas in smaller groups, and therefore are less likely to withdraw.



 
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