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Cafe Debate

 

The main aim of the tool is to provide the participants opportunity to take part in debate that includes several discussions that are running simultaneously and reflecting various aspects of the main issue.

 

Aims of the tool

Something to Start With
Introductory Exercises

TYPES OF EXERCISES

To encourage the participants to take part in discussion and through discussing various issues to strength their knowledge of the covered theme; To create open platform within which the participants can share their experiences, opinions and gain better insight to the realities of other participants countries; To increase communication skills of the participants and their ability to express themselves in mix-intercultural team; To develop leadership skills of the participants who are taking the leading role in this activity and moderating the discussion. 

 

Description of the tool

1)  The group is divided into 3 – 4 team (preferably 4 – 5 persons in one team).
2)  Each team gathers around one table and receives one issue to discuss. The table are arranged as in cafés.
3)  The main rules of the debate are reviewed at the beginning of the activity:

  • At the moment when the café is open the discussions can start;

  • In each team can only speak a person who is holding the glass or cup in the hand.

  • If anyone would like to change the team - the table he/she need to asked the moderators (waitresses or waiters) who can allow them to change their places.

  • The waitress and waitresses are following the debates and taking notes for debriefing. They are also making sure that the rules of the debate are respecting. 

4)  The activity is closed up by debriefing when the participants are sharing their impressions from the activity and the arguments mentioned during the debate are reviewed. 

 

 

Speed Dating

 

 

Photo Credit: www.cantarch.com

Excellent exercise, that allows youth to reflect on differences and similarities in opinnions.

 

Aims of the tool

 

To stimulate active participation in debate and self-reflection.

 

Description of the tool

 

Invite three of the participants to sit on one side of a long table and on the opposite side 

Photo Credit: www.speedfaces.com

of the table – the other three participants. That way every participant will be facing another one and they are divided in couples (check the picture at the attached file). 

Give each participant a sheet of paper and a pen and explain them the following:

 

  • I will put one question in the middle of the table and you will have 30sec to read it and think about possible answer.

  • After that the participants on the left side of the table will give their answers to their peer on the opposite side, who will write down the answer. This step lasts 2min, including the time for taking notes.

 

When the participants on left side of the table give their answer, allow 30seconds rest and than invite the right side of the table to give their answers to the left sided participants for another 2min.

 

When the first question is finished and both sides of the table gave answers, all participant should move one chair left (in a circle), so the participants change their pair.

Then, you can give another questions, respecting the above rules.

 

Discussion and Debate: It is recommended that in every 2-3 questions you ask the participants to discuss their answers and provoke debate, which will lead to clarification of what differences and similarities are there between their opinions. It is recommended that you prepare questions in advance.. At the end you can give them certain definitions of the two, but don`t forget that everything is interrelated and interconnected.

Prepared by the Croatian Debating Society

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