Diversity – Activity 1

Identifying tolerance / How comfortable am I?

Activity type:
Self-awareness

Learning Goal:
As it is known self-exploration and self-awareness are the first steps in developing and achieving cultural and diversity sensitivity. Through this activity, the participant will be able to recognize his/her own mindset and deep structures towards diverse people, perspectives and lifestyles as a starting point for improving Diversity skills. Recognising his/her own bias, s/he can work with him/herself to become more sensitive and open to diverse persons.

Specificities:
Individual activity, but can also be implemented in groups for the reflection part. The learners can fill in the questionnaire alone and then come back in one group to reflect upon their experience over the activity.

Duration:
1 hour

Material needed:
“How comfortable am I” -questionnaire


Instructions

Please take some time to rate the following statements on a scale of 1-4, where 1= being not comfortable at all to 4= being completely comfortable.

By the end of the exercise you will become aware of your own prejudices and how people are likely to react in similar circumstances. In cases where you feel uncomfortable or uneasy (1 or 2), you are highly encouraged to do extra self-work and educate yourself.

Questions for reflection:

  • What did you learn from this activity?
  • Did you notice any stereotypical thinking in yourself?
  • Let’s have a brainstorming: What actions could a person who is feeling not comfortable with each of the mentioned cases make? What thoughts- phrases could be helpful?