METHOD 6: DISCUSSION

To keep discussion focused, you might initially pose several key questions. The larger the group, the more likely that some participants will dominate and others remain silent. To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to speak, you may want to divide participants into smaller units. When any discussion concludes, summarize the main points orally and in writing. 1. Small Groups: Size will depend on time and the sensitivity or complexity of the su !ect. "n most cases each group selects a reporter to summarize its discussion. #. Buzz Groups: $articipants discuss in pairs for a limited period. This method is especially effective for articulating ideas in preparation for a general discussion or to give expression to personal response to a film, presentation, or experience. %fter talking in pairs, couples might e asked to com ine in groups of four and compare their opinions. &. Open Questioning: 'acilitators need to develop the skills of keeping the goal of discussion clearly in mind and of asking questions that encourage participation and analysis. (ere are some typical forms of open questions) * (ypothetical) +What would you do if...,+ * Speculating) +(ow might we solve this pro lem,+ * -efining) +.an you say more a out how that idea would work,+ * $ro ing) +Why do you think that,+ * .larifying/Summarizing) +%m " right to say that you think...,+ 0. ules !or Dis"ussion: 1ne way to help create an environment of trust and mutual respect is to have participants develop +2ules for -iscussion+) a3 %sk participants to think of some principles for discussion, which they think everyone should follow. 3 Write all of these suggestions where everyone can see them, com ining and simplifying where necessary. "f not already mentioned, you might want to suggest some of the following principles) * 4isten to the person who is speaking5 * 1nly one person speaks at a time5 * 2aise your hand to e recognized if you want to say something5 * -on6t interrupt when someone is speaking5

* When you disagree with someone, make sure that you make a difference etween criticizing someone6s idea and criticizing the person5 * -on6t laugh when someone is speaking 7unless she or he makes a !oke835 * 9ncourage everyone to participate. c3 .opy the list of rules neatly and hang it where participants can refer, add, or make changes to it as necessary. E#amples o! Met$o%: & ABC: +:e and :y Senses,+ +Wishing;well,+ +$rotecting .hildren,+ +.hild Soldiers,+ +9quality efore the 4aw,+ +.ultural "dentity,+ +Should <usinesses <e %ccounta le,+=>www.unhchr.ch/html/menu?/#/a c.htm@ & Bells of Freedom: +:aking 1ur 1wn 2ules,+=>erc.hrea.org/4i rary/<ellsAofA'reedom/index.html@ & First Steps: +2ights and 2esponsi ilities+ illustrates work in pairs.=>erc.hrea.org/4i rary/'irstASteps/index.html@ B. Tal' (roun% ) Go (roun%: The facilitator sets a topic or asks a question and everyone takes turns responding, usually within a set time. 4imit the time consistently. :ake clear that anyone who doesn6t wish to speak may pass. E#amples o! Met$o%: & ABC: +% .ircle for Talking,+ +Talking .ircle %gain.+=>www.unhchr.ch/html/menu?/#/a c.htm@ & Bells of Freedom: +What is (uman,+ +%rranged :arriages.+=>erc.hrea.org/4i rary/<ellsAofA'reedom/index.html@ ?. Tal'ing Cir"le ) *or% *$eels: $articipants are divided in two groups, one sitting in a circle facing outward and the other facing inward so that each person faces someone else. These pairs then exchange views on an announced topic. %fter a set period, the facilitator asks everyone on the inside to move one seat to the right and discuss with the new person sitting opposite. This process continues until each person has changed views with several others. E#amples o! Met$o%: & ABC: +<eginnings and 9ndings.+=>www.unhchr.ch/html/menu?/#/a c.htm@ & Bells of Freedom: +What is (uman,+=>erc.hrea.org/4i rary/<ellsAofA'reedom/index.html@

C. Tal'ing Sti"': "n this method, derived from Dative %merican tradition, anyone who speaks must e holding a designated o !ect, which could literally e a stick or anything else easily visi le and porta le. This method uilds awareness of sharing the +air time.+ E#ample o! Met$o%: & First Steps: +Talking Stick.+=>erc.hrea.org/4i rary/'irstASteps/index.html@ E. Tal'ing Ti"'ets: To provide everyone an equal opportunity to speak, give each participant three +talking tickets,+ each representing a certain amount of +air time.+ 1nce someone has used all her or his tickets, that person has no further opportunities to speak. F. T$in'+,air+S$are: $articipants have time to write or simply think on their own a out a critical question5 they then link with one other person to discuss and then ring their reflections to the entire group. 1G. *rite (roun%: This method is a discussion in written form. $ose a key question and ask everyone to write a response at the top of a page. 9ach paper is then passed to the person on the right, who reads the first statement and responds to it y writing something elow. 2epeat the process until three or four people have had a chance to respond. Then pass the papers ack to the left so that everyone can see what has een written in this +silent discussion.+ <ecause the facilitator does not see what participants write, this method can ena le them to express opinions they might wish to keep from the facilitator.