Where do you stand?

Topic
- Society
- Citizenship & human rights
Learning skills
- Self-awareness
- Empathy & social awareness
- Critical & reflective thinking
- Communication & expression
Activity type
- Group discussion
Materials
- Basic
Age
- 12 - 14 years
- 15 - 17 years
- 18+ years
>15 minutes
+5 players
Intermediate
Medium
Medium (classroom, square)

Contributors

e.p.a.

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Everything you need to play this game

One copy of the sheet of statements
Large sheets of paper or flipchart paper
Markers, pens

Make it yourself

Step 1

2 posters/ piece of papers

Prepare 2 posters – one saying, “I agree” and the other saying,  “I disagree” – and stick them on the floor at opposite ends of the room, so that people can form a straight line between them. (You may want to draw a chalk line between them, or use a piece of string) 

Good job!

A step-by-step guide to play the game

Tell the players that you will read out a series of statements with which people may agree to a greater or lesser extent. Point out the two extreme positions ("I agree" on one side of the room - "I disagree" on the other side of the room) and that the players may take any point along this imaginary line.

Read out the statements one by one and give the players some time to find their positions.

Encourage reflection and discussion:

Why did the end points take these extreme positions?
Why did someone in the middle choose this position?
...

Have individuals change positions while listening to each other's comments.

When all positions have been discussed, bring the group back together for a debriefing (see additional game info).

Extra game information

Statements

Having a house, food and basic necessities is more important than being able to say what you want.
People have a duty to work, but not a right.
The most fundamental responsibility of any government is to ensure that all citizens have enough to eat.
The right to "rest and leisure" is a luxury that only rich people can afford.
It is not the government's job to ensure that people do not starve - but the people's own!
How we treat our workers is not a matter for the international community.
Poor countries should focus on a basic standard of living for all before worrying about the civil and political rights of their citizens.
Extreme economic inequality is a violation of fundamental rights.
Social and economic rights are an ideal for the future, but the world is not ready to guarantee them today.
If rights cannot be guaranteed, there is no point in having them.
Some rights are more important than others.
Some people naturally have more rights than others.
Some people are homeless because they want to be.
Rich people are happier than poor people.
It is impossible to eradicate poverty completely.
We are not born with rights, we are given them.

Debriefing and evaluation questions

Were there questions that people could not answer - either because it was difficult to form their own opinion or because the question was poorly formulated?
Why did people change positions during the discussions?
Were people surprised by the level of disagreement on the issues?
Does it matter that we disagree on human rights?
Do you think there are "right" and "wrong" answers to the different statements, or is it just a matter of personal opinion?
Would it ever be possible for everyone to agree on human rights?
Do we need more rights?

Tips for facilitators

Give the players time to set up and think about their position. Give enough time for discussion between the different statements.

This game is part of the 'All Children, All Right(s)!' toolkit, which focuses on promoting the right to participation.

What people said about this game

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