My reflection – Using Storytelling to develop empathy between countries

Challenge and Selection

I am a volunteer in an organization that promotes intercultural learning, opportunities to help  young people discover and learn about other cultures and develop their empathy towards  different social groups. However, the health emergency caused that all individuals and  families remain at home during the quarantine. And also most of young people used this time  to get to know and dedicate themselves.

In this situation, the challenge I have is: How can we raise awareness among young people  about empathy towards different social groups and interculturality in the world?

I decided to use Storytelling because it is an effective tool to connect young people with the  outside also because it approaches people through emotions. Also, the video lecture identifies  two reasons that can be applied to the proposed challenge “Storytelling allows you to create  energy and passion and excitement around something and to make strategy accessible”.

Application

Initially, I with my team of volunteers identified the market target to use the tool. It was  young people between 18 and 25 years of age with the desire to learn about other cultures  and meet people from different countries. Subsequently, we brainstormed to identify which  type of story is the most attractive to this target. For brainstorming we used different  materials, activities, manuals and also we contacted other volunteers from the same  organization, but in different Latin American countries.

We use different experiences from different volunteers from Latin America in order to create  a great Storytelling. The countries included in this story were: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile,  Costa Rica, Guatemala, Paraguay and Uruguay. During the experiences told, each volunteer  commented on the activities he or she was carried out during the quarantine and the current  situation in their countries. It was really important to show the difference in social classes  and the actions that their governments carry out to help people. Likewise, we gave  importance to education area. We asked all the people who are part of it, to include images  of them, their families and even news from their countries. Finally, a final message is  presented on the importance of empathy among all, not just one region but throughout the  world. The stories were distributed over a period of time in different countries.

Finally, to learn more about the reaction of our public, we created an environment for them  to express themselves. We held a conversation at a Latin American level where young people  had the opportunity to comment on the stories of the volunteers, ask questions and tell their  own experiences. Among the basic questions for this event were: 1) What are the differences  between cultures? 2) What are the similar characteristics between countries? 3) How did  countries act in the face of difficulties in the area of education? 4)Did you feel identified with  any of the stories?

In addition, it was intended that participants can meet new friends around the world and learn  a little more about the culture of others. Therefore, have an intercultural learning. The applied  tool was effective since it allowed participants to learn more about other cultures, the current  situation in their neighboring countries and even learn about realities that are more difficult  for some people.

Insight and Approach

What I learned from the application of this tool is working on the connection and relationship  between what my organization seeks (intercultural learning and empathy) and our target. On  the other hand, people have the opportunity to share knowledge and learn about the problems  of others. This allows young people to reflect on the reality of many, on their lives and the  actions they take to improve our world. It should be noted that this tool is very useful when  one of the objectives of the challenges is to develop empathy between people.

Storytelling allows you to share incredible stories and be real to the world and encourage  young people to become citizens of the world.

Probably, for the next challenge if we have intentions to create a connection with an objective  target, I would use the same tool for its ease of application. A story can generate emotions  for people and also the art of storytelling is a great strategy to attract people's interest and  mobilize people for a just cause.


My reflection – Using Storytelling to develop empathy between countries Challenge and Selection I am a volunteer in an organization that promotes intercultural learning , opportunities to help young people discover and learn about other cultures and develop their empathy towards different social groups . However , the health emergency caused that all individuals and families remain at home during the quarantine . And also most of young people used this time to get to know and dedicate themselves . In this situation , the challenge I have is : How can we raise awareness among young people about empathy towards different social groups and interculturality in the world ? I decided to use Storytelling because it is an effective tool to connect young people with the outside also because it approaches people through emotions . Also , the video lecture identifies two reasons that can be applied to the proposed challenge “ Storytelling allows you to create energy and passion and excitement around something and to make strategy accessible ” . Application Initially , I with my team of volunteers identified the market target to use the tool . It was young people between 18 and 25 years of age with the desire to learn about other cultures and meet people from different countries . Subsequently , we brainstormed to identify which type of story is the most attractive to this target . For brainstorming we used different materials , activities , manuals and also we contacted other volunteers from the same organization , but in different Latin American countries . We use different experiences from different volunteers from Latin America in order to create a great Storytelling . The countries included in this story were : Argentina , Bolivia , Chile , Costa Rica , Guatemala , Paraguay and Uruguay . During the experiences told , each volunteer commented on the activities he or she was carried out during the quarantine and the current situation in their countries . It was really important to show the difference in social classes and the actions that their governments carry out to help people . Likewise , we gave importance to education area . We asked all the people who are part of it , to include images of them , their families and even news from their countries . Finally , a final message is presented on the importance of empathy among all , not just one region but throughout the world . The stories were distributed over a period of time in different countries . Finally , to learn more about the reaction of our public , we created an environment for them to express themselves . We held a conversation at a Latin American level where young people had the opportunity to comment on the stories of the volunteers , ask questions and tell their own experiences . Among the basic questions for this event were : 1 ) What are the differences between cultures ? 2 ) What are the similar characteristics between countries ? 3 ) How did countries act in the face of difficulties in the area of education ? 4)Did you feel identified with any of the stories ? In addition , it was intended that participants can meet new friends around the world and learn a little more about the culture of others . Therefore , have an intercultural learning . The applied tool was effective since it allowed participants to learn more about other cultures , the current situation in their neighboring countries and even learn about realities that are more difficult for some people . Insight and Approach What I learned from the application of this tool is working on the connection and relationship between what my organization seeks ( intercultural learning and empathy ) and our target . On the other hand , people have the opportunity to share knowledge and learn about the problems of others . This allows young people to reflect on the reality of many , on their lives and the actions they take to improve our world . It should be noted that this tool is very useful when one of the objectives of the challenges is to develop empathy between people . Storytelling allows you to share incredible stories and be real to the world and encourage young people to become citizens of the world . Probably , for the next challenge if we have intentions to create a connection with an objective target , I would use the same tool for its ease of application . A story can generate emotions for people and also the art of storytelling is a great strategy to attract people 's interest and mobilize people for a just cause .