We are the symbols

• become aware how power of symbols is used in the proceses of identification trought our unconscious mind;
• learn more about hidden manipulation, which based on human need to belong, being accepted and appreciated;
• understand how some political forces exploit radical/extremist groups for its geopolitical goals;
• experience, how they value, sees and behave towards people who share similar symbolic world and how to those who have opposite or different;
• test themself, what are they wiling to do, that their symbolic world survives;
• learn from experience, how to develop more informed approach in conjunction with the symbols in their lives.

could be an option:, for immigrants, dropouts, students in secundary and third level, young unemployed individuals

Part 1

Step 1:  Trainer gives learners lists with 5 symbols. Each learner need to pick one, which attracks him the most and explain his choice. One symbol should resemble the symbol of one of radikal group, another of extremist group, the third need to be similar with national ones, fourth religious and the last one one of rock icon.

Step 2: Leraners need to search with whom they share the same selections and on that basis form a group. Some group will have just 1 or 2 members, others 8 or more. When group is formed, they will get a task to upgrade their state. They need to create a common vision, which will connect them and justify their existence. This include two documents: group rules and behaviour  code. (This tasks include  hidden elements of  identification and development of affiliation).

Step 3: All groups present their visions, behaviour and dress code to each other (This task include development of further affilation and separation from other groups).

Part 2.  Secret mission(s): the aim of thi activity is that pupils/students experience, that when our symbolic world is in danger, we are willing to do the unreasonable and unethical things, despite the fact that we value tolerance, honesty, truthfulness. The simulation can also help them  see, how external players (global superpower) exploited radical and extremist group to create wars and conflicts.

• Every group get a task to analyze weak points of other groups that will give them a feeling of being more powerful.
• Then they need to find also their strong points to know where they have a potential threat.
• Trainer give all four groups secret mission during their work time while pretending to advise them. They need to develop tactics

Trainer can use this one or invent new one.

• Their symbols and group will become the leading one, if they succeed to ignite conflict in other group, which will distributed  the members into two or more sides.

Part 3.Evaluation part:

1. What kind of manipluation your task was including?
2. What kind of manipluation did your group invent to achieve the goal?
3. Why your group decide for that option?
4. Was there any other possibilities, which did not including manipulation and will give you the same results?
5. Who you become in this role? How other see you?
6. Find some links of your group with one of exstremist group?

Poster with symbols, list of better quality for writing the rules for behaviour and dressing, poster for planning tactics, figures for visualization tactics, color pens, sheet for analysis, evaluating form.

Method of explaining the method of drawing the mental schemes and scenarios, method of demonstration, method of counseling, group evaluation method.

Some of learners may not have a clear answer, why they choose certain symbol, other may be to direct. Trainer task is to lead disscussion in the way that learners from first group can find out some link with symbols, while second group need more critical discussion to establish a doubt to some of them beliefs.

The trainer should give clear instructions and must respond, if members in the groups operates outside the agreed frameworks. Only in this way he can monitor the situation and ensure that the activities will be coordinated with the objectives of the exercise.

Trainer should decided, if it is better that all group have the same task for secret mission or it is better to have diffrent ones. First option is easier to coordinate and control groups, but the other allow more authentic experience and disclose the role and orientation of participants.

The aim of evaluation part is that learners find out, that task are design to force them to chose manipluation, but alow them also other possibilities. The second finding should be directed at identifying, when and why they decided to select the destructive techniques.

Original material developed for the purpose of the YCARe project.