Sustainable human relationships - workshop layout

Pepared by Laurina


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Notes for the facilitator:

  • write down definitions beforehand
  • enough paper & pens for everyone
  • be responsive to what people say, include that, make sure they get answers → notes

Contents:


0. Introduction

E.g. in form of a round, in which people tell their names and what they expect

Laurinas example answer: I want to provide a different perspective on sustainability - a more human focused one. I want to get you thinking, maybe bring consciousness about the topic. I'm looking forward to getting ideas and inspiration from others. I expect there to be a break, which is long enough, so that we can dig deeper afterwards and really see where it goes; really get concrete.


1. Definition

Read out and personally explain all definitions e.g. on a board

Sustainable: sustain + -able (ability)

Definitions:

  • is something, that has a long-lasting impact, instead of a short-term effect. In ecology the term describes that only so much of something is used, taken or made dirty as can regrow or regenerate itself. (ich-tausch-nicht-mehr.net)

  • the ability to be sustained, supported, upheld or confirmed

  • Environmental Science. the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance (dictionary.com/browse/sustainability)

  • meeting the needs of a generation without affecting further generations to meet their needs

Laurinas ideas: about taking and giving, taking what you need (not too much) and giving back what you can (with regards to your environment, nature and all living beings) no problems for the future created, German: nach-halt-ig → to keep (in it)


Human relationship:
Definitions:

  • Relation: - an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
    H
    R: a relation between people (thefreedictionary.com/human+relationship)

  • HR: The interaction, connection, association or involvment of human beings (Laurina)

Laurinas ideas: When do you have a relationship with someone? When does it end? Do you have a relationship to yourself? ...to your busdriver? ...the person that built the house you are in?


Sustainable human relationships:
Definition:

  • a human interaction that includes the possibility to be long-lasting, not leading to burnout, giving and taking are balanced and perceived as such (Rosina, Laurina and yunity people)


Activity: Go through the definitions with the group, do you understand them, do you agree?
Maybe write in own words, possibly find your own (different) definitions in order to be able to go forward from here and work with them or just stay in silence for 2 minutes :)


2. Exercise

Move, pair up and speak

Stand up, walk around, when I clap, get together in pairs, pair number?
stand/sit opposite to each other, answer the question by telling your partner about it, not long, around 2 min each


"Think about a person you have a sustainable relationship with (maybe an intense one, not neccesarily partner)

How/When did you meet? What do you do in the time you spend together? What do you have in common?

What do you give the person & what does (s)he give you? What makes your relationship special?"


Laurinas example answer: I think of Aggi. We did many different things together, we are very different. Sometimes we're closer and sometimes further, but we know and value each other.


3. Break it down

Find out what makes human relationships sustainable by identifying different aspects

Write them down and take one paper per aspect


"(Think about the person from the exercise, but others as well)
What kind of things do you give and take? Which aspects are the most important ones?"


Laurinas example answer: The time spent together, the will and desire to do it, the ability and acceptance for distance, trust, honesty, being able to have and solve conflicts, appreciating constant change and that you are not always right


Collect the papers topic-wise to form clusters, add onto a concept/paper if you have a similar one
→ Consciously form/identify clusters, names, topics or else


BREAK

At least 15-30min, not too short!

Look at the clusters again, have everybody pick one or two interesting or difficult to them, at the end of the break have them go to this one (physically spread the clusters in the room)


4. Digging deeper

Build smaller groups (3-5 people?) to go more deeply into topics depending on time and size

Find out what they really mean with the words on the papers (E.g. "What is trust?") List risks and opportunities of the different concepts.

How they can be achieved, what obstacles are there (go back to examples from earlier)

Present to the whole group (if there's still enough interest and energy)


5. Concrete and personal

Take 10 minutes of time for yourself, ask and answer the questions by yourself


"Go back to thinking about the person from before.

Is giving and taking balanced? For you? For the other person?

Think of a relationship you have, which you would like to make more sustainable.

What is the problem? What about giving and taking is not in balance? What could you do in order to make it better?"


Find and write down conrete action points (e.g writing a letter, making a call, telling him/her something or changing an attitude)


6. Feedback-round

Everybody speaks, when it is their turn. Silence is valid, too.

"How was it for you? What did you learn, what are you taking from this?
If you would like, share what kind of actions you want to take to make a relationship more sustainable

What could be done better in the process we just went through together? How can we improve the method"



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