Participation in community events

Activity 2: Dividing the Room

Time: 20 minutes (depending on the number of videos shown)

1. Ask students to respond to the following question/s by moving to one side of the room or another to reflect their view.

Would you stand up in front of a community and sing the National Anthem if asked to do so?

Would you participate in a dancing lesson?

2.  Once students have responded to the question, give them the opportunity to discuss the issue. Why or why not? What would influence them either way?

3.  Show a selection of videos from international partner organisations in order to provide a variety of alternative views.

4. Give students the option of changing their position based on what they have heard.

5. Facilitate further discussion on the following:

• Have these diverse perspectives changed how you think you might approach this situation?
• What are some of the different cultural perspectives that have been raised through the partner videos and quotes?
• What are some of the cultural factors you might need to consider in this sort of situation?

Activity 3: Carousel

(Adapted from Comhlamh’s ‘From Volunteers to Active Citizens’: http://www.comhlamh.org/resources-volunteering-ireland/)

Time: 30 mins (depending on different videos selected)

1. Break the students into three groups and ask each group to respond to the following scenario from the perspective of, (a) an international partner organisation; (b) a student volunteer; (c) a university or sending organisation

It is hot and humid and a student has come to work in a short skirt, singlet top and sandals.

2. Invite one person from each group to sit at the front and join a discussion/debate, representing the particular perspective of their group.

3. Show videos from partner organisations.

4. Facilitate further discussion.