Part of workshops is often for people to get to know each other better and learn about the many different parts of each other’s identity. And most of all, learn that identity is more than one’s ethnicity or nationality.
Learning goals
To increase awareness of multi-layeredness of the concept of identity. Getting insight in different perceptions of what identity means.
Target group
Students in primary, secondary and tertiary education, professionals.
Materials
Sheets of white paper, flip-overs and colour pencils/ felt tips. If you would want to display the flags, they can be taped to the wall. A template for a flag can be found here. An alternative would be to use textile and waterproof felt tips. This would be more costly and more labour intensive. The upside is that the flag can be sowed into a large flag of the whole group.
Time
We recommend at least 10 minutes for drawing. Followed by a debrief:
- In pairs: tell each other about the flag (each five minutes)
- Plenary: display the flags and ask general questions about the exercise ‘popcorn style’ (who wants to share)
Organization of the activity:
Ask the audience to create a flag that represents who they are. A flag that is symbolic and simple, and that does not look like another flag (country flag). It has a max of five different elements to prevent overcrowding.
Authors and affiliation:
Dr. Sukyun Lee, Maryland Institute College of Art, Faculty, Graduate Liberal Arts + ELL Specialist, Maryland USA
Dr. Ankie Hoefnagels, Professor Global Competence at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Maastricht, the Netherlands