The Workshop Aims

The first workshop aim targets the participants who watch the film and take part in the workshop; they will undergo the creative process with a teacher or facilitator. Our aim is to learn about the process our protagonists underwent when stepping out of denial and violence.

If the film is being used in an academic teaching programme, it is suggested that at least one term (ten weeks) is allowed, with two hour slots. Suggestions for an attachment workshop are offered in: Co-Creating A Safe Base.

The second aim is for participants to initiate their own programmes using their experience of the workshops' creative process in their own work settings and communities.

Learning Objectives, Concepts, and KEYWORDS: each Workshop begins with Learning Objectives, Concepts, Keywords with attached Glossary definitions. The teacher/facilitator will decide how to share this with the group.

Jessica Benjamin’s commentary could be viewed here, before introducing Issues to Explore, or later in the workshop.

The Issues to Explore section of the Workshop is aimed to meet participants’ different contexts, approaching the issues raised in each of the Video Parts from as wide a perspective as possible and integrating participants’ own stories and experiences. 

Facilitating the Workshops: suggests ways for facilitators to get into and use the Issues to Explore.  The facilitator  checks with the group where they are emotionally in the process, and adapts the workshop to the group’s needs. The facilitator is thus modelling a responsive 'secure attachment' encouraging the participants to empathically recognise and witness one another's needs.  (See: Co-Creating A Safe Base.)

We suggest the following format: (these are suggestions – we would like to hear what format worked for you)

The Whole or Video Part. We suggest watching the whole film with the group first before exploring each Video Part separately.  Each Video Part represents one  theme of the Moving Beyond Violence construct of stepping out of denial and peace-building.

Time: Decide how much time you will have for the Workshop; the material is complex and we suggest at least two hours: each Video Part and Workshop could be an all day event.

1. View an individual Video PART (10 - 15 minutes) and allow participants to respond to the film spontaneously (15 minutes)
2. Introduce the topics in Issues to Explore and ask the group if they prefer to respond in pairs, a small group, or the large group – supporting those who find it hard to join the conversation – (30 - 60 minutes)
3. Screen Jessica Benjamin's conversation for that Workshop leaving time for the group to integrate her points into the group discussion. (30 – 60 minutes)
4. BREAK FOR DRINK AND BISCUITS (20 minutes)
5. Ask participants whether they plan to use the knowledge and skills they have learnt in this Video Part and the Workshop in their own setting; ask if they would like to share what they plan; ask if they would like to invite any group members to join them.
6. Offer help by email or a separate meeting according to your own program.
7. Build in feedback time in the next workshop for any participants who ran their own workshops to report back to the group.