Goal
- Participants get inspiration for future development plans.
- They gain consciousness about their development in terms of values, belonging(s), social attitudes, roles, and life choices
Steps
1. The facilitator presents a template with an example of a river and introduces the session. Each participant receives a template on a large piece of paper. The beginning and the end of the river should be marked on the paper. The participants should draw the river between these points as they want. Papers of different colors, scissors, glue, pencils, and markers should be made available.
2. Working individually, particpants then represent their choices and commitments during a certain period of life and/or in relation to a certain dimension of their identity. For example, how/why they changed jobs, how their relationship to their family has changed, at what point they took on a new role in society...
3. Participants should place the results of their efforts onto whichever part of the river they consider appropriate.
Reflection
- What were the crucial points?
- Where was the water calm?
- Where were you travelling with the current?
- When did you have to go against the current?
- Where was the water moving quickly?
- Where and what did you learn (about yourself and your identity)?
Alternative
- The method Bridge to the Future.
Variation
This activity can also support talks about topics beyond identity. For instance, one could reflect on an individual’s learning journey, digital past and future, competence development...
Reference
Understanding You(th)
Published in the handbook Understanding You(th). Exploring Identity and its Role in International Youth Work. Created by Nik Paddison (ed.) for SALTO-YOUTH Cultural Diversity Resource Centre.
Creativity Handbook
Published in: N. Zimmermann (ed.), E. Leondieva (ed.), M. Gawinek-Dagargulia (ed.) (2018). Creativity Handbook. Building connections, drawing inspirations & exploring opportunities as individuals & groups.Competendo Handbook for Facilitators.
