What challenge inspired this recipe?
All volunteers face a cultural shock when they arrive to a new project. They can potentially freeze and stick to familiar things which can often lead to a conflict on a cultural basis, as they are trying to set the bar of “normal” in the household.
This game challenges their belief system, pushes them into discomfort and ultimately should lead them to a conclusion that in a new situation, new rules must apply. It is good to do it in bigger groups, and not right after they arrive. On arrival seminar, mid evaluation seminar or volunteer gathering after a month or more could serve as a good playground for the game.
Ingredients :
Cards, tables
Step by step guide
This is a card game played as individuals in groups of two or four from which there can only be one winner. Winners from several of those groups group to have another round from which there is only one winner that moves on…and so on. The trick is that in the starting groups, the initial game was explained differently. Group one, for example, uses 2 as the highest card, while group four identifies 2 as the lowest. That means that each time they are moved to a new group they have one set of rules that they now, but are now challenged because the other player doesn’t know them. Here, as a facilitator you can observe different types of personalities in conflict, the teddy bear, shark, owl and so on. It is important to allow some tension, but contain it.
When they are unable to call the winner, or they manage to have an overall winner because someone was able to convinced others you can move on to the debriefing part.
In it, you have to connect it to the cultural aspect of living in an international community.
Then, you can move on to conflict resolution methods, such as non – violent communication principles, safe space, house rules and so on.
Link for the game instructions: https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/inclusive-teaching/wp-content/uploads/sites/355/2017/07/Barnga-Card-Game-Rules-1.pdf
Important to highlight!It can be included alongside conflict management sessions and house rules |
Before you start cooking, keep in mind…
To have enough participants. In smaller groups it is a challenge to get that conflict situation up and running.
