World map tool or activity is useful for the beginning sessions in working with multicultural groups so the participants can see what environments they come from and what are their aspirations regarding where they would like to live. In this way they can introduce themselves in certain aspects and meet other participants in the group. It is easier to understand the answers when we visually see them and it is also a good starting point for the discussion.
You will need:
- world map (large printed version) or an image of a world map of good quality and projector to project it;
- stickers
- pens
Time: 15 minutes (It can be shortened or extended depending on the group size and how long you would like the discussion to be)
Group size: 5 – 15 participants (or more)
Step-by-step
1 – Give participants stickers and pens and ask them to write their names and paste them on the country of their origin on the world map. When everyone is done tell them to look at it and comment on what they see.
2 – Ask the participants to move stickers with their name to the country where they feel like home (if applicable/ if it is a different one than before). When everyone is done, ask them to look at it and comment on it. Discuss if it is any different than before.
3 – Ask the participants to move stickers with their name to where they would want to live (if applicable/ if it is a different place than before). When everyone is done, ask them to look at it and comment on it. Discuss if it is any different than before.
Tips:
- Tell participants they don’t need to collaborate in any part of the activity they do not feel comfortable to or disclose any personal information they don’t feel comfortable to.
- Use a world map that is not Eurocentric.
- Use a world map that names a lot of countries.
- If the discussion doesn’t develop, ask additional questions.
- Invite some participants to share why they did or did not move their names around.
- Do the facilitation in more than one language if necessary.
