Lesson 1: Understanding migration
Recommended size of the group: from 6 to 30 people
Aim of the Lesson: The main aim of this lesson is to get familiar with real stories of migrants and refugees, to explore reasons behind migration as well as exchange views on policies and initiatives taken by each country within the EU regarding migration. The lesson will also serve as an introduction to debates/advocacy method as participants will have the opportunity to share their opinions and get involved in the discussion.
Objective/Learning outcomes:
After the lesson participants will:
- Have a better understanding of the reasons behind migration and & issues surrounding migration.
- Gain knowledge about advocacy definition.
- Understand the need and importance of advocacy.
- Improve their creativity and storytelling skills as advocacy tools and how it can be used to tell the stories of migrants and refugees.
- Understand how their “voice” can help to raise awareness, raise empathy & tolerance towards migrants and refugees in their own communities.
- Improve their communication skills in terms of expressing their points of views, as well develop the ability to participate in constructive discussion.
- Raise awareness and empathy towards migrants and refugees.
Resources needed:
- Handouts (with the translation from the video in the local language if needed)
- Projector
- Computer
- Sound System
- Colourful markers
- Crayons
- Scissors
- Flipchart paper
- Spacious training room with enough space to have people working in groups
Teaching methods:
- Presentations by trainer and participants
- Discussion
- Group work
- Case studies/good practice sharing
Content
1) Advocacy: Storytelling activity (65 minutes)
Advocacy presentation (10 minutes):
What is advocacy?
How, why and where is advocacy being used?
Advocacy through storytelling.
Introduce the activity (10 min)
If the participants have a good level of English, trainer can show the video:
Storytelling (45 minutes)
- Play the video: The story of a refugees
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItNWqzBTC0w (until 4:33)
- Divide participants into groups of 4 and continue the story of family in any creative way they choose (writing, drawing, collage, theatre). They have to present it in a creative way so that everyone is involved.
Trainer prepares small papers with the words depending on the number of groups. If there are six groups then - positive (2 times), negative (2 times), neutral (2 times). Each group picks one with closed eyes.
According to the word they chose, they have to create a scenario accordingly.
- Each group presents their work to the rest.
Evaluation
Plenary discussion (15 minutes):
- Why do refugees or migrants leave their countries?
- What are their expectations?
- What is the reality they meet? (Input from participants about the current situation in the country).
- Input from trainer about the European/ international situation.
- What can we do (how can we use our voice) to reinforce the positive scenarios you have just presented?
General Tips for Trainer
- Advocacy video - the trainer can also search for a short video in their native language, which would help participants to imagine the conditions and the path refugees go through in order to reach safety.
- Refugee story video - for the participants with no or low English language skills, there will be a need for trainer to simultaneously translate it or find a similar video in their native language.