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Working with Older Volunteers in Manual Intergenerational Projects
Method: Working with Case Studies
Goals/Options:
The goal of the exercise is to raise the participants’ awareness for cultural differences, to
point to different ideas, values and standards, and to develop possible solutions for intercultural
misunderstandings and conflicts. The case studies serve to explain the necessity
of a perspective change regarding intercultural contact.
The following examples demonstrate frequently occurring misunderstandings, which result
from different views concerning cultural concepts of time, work, family, individualism/collectivism,
social hierarchy etc.. Since the case studies were developed in Germany,
the situations refer to encounters of Germans with people from other cultures. However,
the examples may be used in groups of any national composition and, if necessary, altered
with variations by the coach.
The protagonists in the examples are not necessarily European, but since differences towards
non-European cultures are more apparent, the examples are particularly suitable
for unexperienced participants. In any case, they serve as an incentive to discuss comparable
aspects in a European context.
Brief description:
Preparation
The participants are divided into small (national) groups and receive a case study each
(see necessary materials below, task sheets 1-8). The groups are first requested to discuss
the misunderstanding in each case study, taking possible differences of value into consideration.
Secondly, the groups develop suggestions, which target a conflict resolution
that is acceptable for both sides, and thirdly, establish a connection to their own culture,
(see necessary materials below, questions for group sessions).
If needed, the introduction to this exercise can be facilitated by means of an additional
example, which might have been experienced by the coach and which is discussed in the
plenum.
Plenum
The results of the group sessions are subsequently presented in the plenum and directly
commented on by members of the other groups, i.e. by people of different cultural
backgrounds, thus further extending the perspective of the groups during this discussion
round. The coach then comments on and supplements the replies before discussing the
next example (see necessary materials below, resolutions of case studies 1-8).
The discussion of examples may be followed by a second round of group sessions and
plenum regarding further examples.
Conclusion
The participants are requested to create a list of opposing value perceptions or principles,
which were already identified in the examples, but not explicitly mentioned (see necessary
materials below: opposing principles).
Finally, it should also be pointed out that cultural behaviour is by no means standardised
and that regional, age and gender-specific differences as well as individual differences
exist in every country, thus, principles should rather be regarded as tendencies. At the
same time reference should be made to the similarities, which emerge during the communication
process. These can be compiled by the participants.
To be determined beforehand:
Translation of all case studies and questions for group sessions into languages in question.
Set of Methods 157