Participants share the experiences that have made them who they are, where they are living and what they are doing, using a timeline. This activity explores the diversity and similarities within the group.

We are all shaped by our experiences. Why am I here? How did I get here?
 

Issues addressed

• Cultural diversity
• Things which influence the participants' lives related to their family, gender, country, culture and religion
• Migration

Aims

• To raise curiosity and empathy about the other participants' cultures
• To generate a critical approach to our own history
• To create awareness of the diversity of European history and politics
• To help participants to get to know each other better.

Preparation / Materials

• A calendar on a board or large sheet of paper. It should be marked off in years and start, if not embarrassing for anyone, at the year of the birth of the oldest participant and end at the present.
• Blue and green felt-tip pens; a piece of paper and pen for each participant.

Instructions

1. Introduce the activity by explaining that in this activity participants will be reflecting on the experiences that have made them who they are and why they are here in this session today.
2. The experiences that shape us may be related, for instance, to family events, role models, politics, war, sports, music, travel or a training session you attended.
3. Ask each participant to name 3 “private” and 3 “public” events which have happened within their lifetime and that have had a significant impact on their lives. They can use pen and paper if it helps them think.
4. Reassure participants that they should not reveal more than they feel comfortable with.
5. Invite the participants to write their name next to the year in which the events occurred, using blue for the private events, and green for the public events.
6. Then ask them to say why those dates are important, what they stand for and why they have chosen them.

Debriefing and evaluation

• How easy was it to choose the events? Why did you select the ones you did?
• Invite participants to say if they were surprised, shocked or impressed by any of the experiences.
• What kinds of personal experiences had the most impact? What did you learn and did they help you grow? Were any of these shared by others in the group?
• What kinds of public events had the most impact? What did you learn and did they help you grow?
• If you live in a foreign country, do you feel like a foreigner? Do you feel welcome?
• Why did you move? To study? For work? For love? Were you forced to move?
• Do you feel it is important to integrate, and what do you mean by “integrate”? Is it possible to integrate?
• Is it possible to identify any common experiences that everyone has had that brought them to this point in their lives – that they are members of this school, club or training session?
• What sorts of experiences are necessary for people to flourish and live fulfilled lives? How important are the roles of the state and culture in this?
• Were there any local or national events that had a profound effect on everyone in the group? Has the experience contributed to a sense of fellowship, community and place?
• What about global events? To what extent do they impact on our feelings of connectedness and empathy with others?
• Do you think others would benefit from having some of the positive experiences you have had in your life? How could you pass on these experiences, learning or insights?

Tips for the facilitators

This activity works with any group but is perhaps most suited as starter on a residential course or workshop, and with an international or multicultural group. Increasing numbers of young people are migrating for study, work and love.

If you are working with a local group, this activity helps participants realise that, even though they may live in the same street, people often attach different degrees of importance to the same events. It may also be interesting to notice that one particular event has marked a majority of the participants, regardless of their origin or educational background – we are "all equal".

In a multicultural group, the activity is useful for raising curiosity about our recent past and cultural influences, and to encourage participants to have greater respect towards each other's beliefs and convictions. However, be aware of current controversial topics , such as recent civil strife, wars and political challenges, which may open up wounds and cause problems within the group.

In relation to the debriefing questions about moving to another country, be prepared for the possibility that some young people may be resentful if, for instance, they miss their friends and were forced to move because their parents chose to. Others may be refugees.

The calendar can be made more colourful or lively if participants add a picture (a Polaroid picture will do very well) or a drawing of themselves against their birth date.

In a seminar, training or residential course, pin the calendar up where it can stay for the whole duration and be referred to at different times.

This activity follows on well from ‘My childhood’.

Suggestions for follow-up

Take action: Do you know anyone who is having a rough time for any reason? Can you support them in finding something, for example, a new experience, that would help them to grow?

Move on to another activity: Laughter is something we all can share. You may like to share some jokes in the activity ‘Eurojoke contest’.