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Communication

2. De-segregation of yourself and by others

2.1. Onion of identity

ACTIVITY

 20 minutes
     

Should I do the activity alone?


It is best carried out in a small group. If you are in a two-parent family, try to do the activity together. Invite your child as well.

After completing the activity…

I should be able to:

  • understand that everybody has multiple identities, both abstract and concrete, and they have an effect on each other
  • understand that people’s identities may create synergies, but also controversies

Before I start, what will I need to do this activity?    

  

Print a copy of Onion of identity for each participant. If you work in a group, also have a large-size copy you can put on the wall.

What do I have to do?

  • in plenary participants are given a short introduction to the onion model of cultural identity
  • in small groups they are invited to find two-three common elements for the group and identify the right layer for each, put them on a post-it each
  • in plenary they put their identified common feature to the right place of the large onion on the flipchart
  • the trainer hands out the second template and everybody is invited to find their layers individually
  • this exercise is followed by a pair discussion on similarities and differences
  • at the end of the exercise participants are invited to share findings they found surprising and shocking if any

    

What to do next?

  • Think about your understanding of similarities and differences
  • Did this activity help you to understand how hidden values affect visible features and behaviour?
  • …?