Activity: Exploring theories of change 1: Understanding the contextThis is a featured page

urpose:To explore how participants understand the peace and conflict context ("conflict analysis") and what implications this has for designing/implementing a change project.
Participants:3-8 or 9.

Time: This depends on the extent of depth expected from the exploration. It could be one or several sessions of 90 minutes.

Materials:
  • Flip charts, marker pens
  • Note books, pens
Process:1. Start by explaining the purpose of the session(s).

2. Introduce the questions that will structure the process (either write them on the flip chart or use a flip chart that was prepared beforehand):
  • What forces (actors) are at play in the system? How did the system and the forces within that system evolve over time?
  • What is happening? What is changing? What is not changing?
  • How do we think change (positive and negative) happens in the context?
  • What patterns can be identified?
  • What is needed for positive change to happen?
3. Now lead the group through those questions, facilitate discussion among the group members. The key elements should be noted on the flip chart, so that everyone can follow and use what is "on the wall" to inspire thinking. Hang produced flip charts on the walls.

4. Once you have discussed all the questions, ask participants to "walk the gallery" for 15 min in order to individually recap what was discussed.

5. Ask participants to get together in groups of 3 or 4 (depending on number of participants), and prepare a short synthesis of the key important insights. Let them report back to the group.

Note:
  • This activity works best if you work with participants coming from or working with the same conflict context. We think it is also good to have different - local and external - perspectives represented in the group. The success of the activity depends to a large extent on the (implicit) knowledge of the participants.
  • This activity is a reflection and discussion process that needs to be led by a skilled facilitator that is ideally conversant with the context. It is focused on a set of questions. The concept of theories of change should have been introduced and digested before (see here the other activities).
Handout(s):
Source(s):chachabooth@gmail.com



mikicesari
mikicesari 		Latest page update: made by mikicesari , Jun 24 2009, 3:13 AM EDT (about this update About This Update mikicesari Edited layout, placed note in "Note" row - mikicesari

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