Before You Start
- Print the resource document images and lay them out on the floor
- Fix a length of wallpaper, a very large piece/pieces of paper, or an old sheet to a wall with masking tape
- Flipchart paper and pens
- Coloured pens (make sure they’re ones that don’t mark the wall through the paper) or crayons
- Scrap fabric, fabric paints, needles and thread (optional)
What to do
Ask the participants to look at the different images and choose one which best symbolises conflict for them personally. They do not need to take the picture, as several people might want to choose the same one
When everyone has chosen a picture, ask them to present their photo and ask:
• How does the image make you feel?
• Why did you choose this one? How does this symbolise conflict for you?
If you have more than 10 participants, then it might be easier to split into two or three groups so that everyone can share their ideas, without the activity becoming too long
Then in the group discuss the following questions:
• Is conflict always negative or can it sometimes be a good thing?
• Can the pictures and your ideas help you to come up with a definition of conflict? Brainstorm keywords that define conflict and write them on a piece of flipchart paper
Put the conflict pictures to one side and begin to discuss how you might try to define peace. Is peace simply the opposite of conflict? What does peace mean for you? Take notes on flipchart paper
Invite the participants to use the art materials to portray their ideas of peace on the piece of wallpaper to make a collaborative ‘peascape’. They can contribute images, doodles, words, graffiti, cartoons, quotes and poems
When everyone has finished their contributions, have a look at the peascape together and debrief. You could use your peascape to decorate your space if you’re able to, or bring it to a camp to decorate the marquee
Discussion Questions
- What do you think of our peascape? How does it make you feel?
- Which different images, quotes, doodles etc. did people contribute to the peascape?
- Why do different people have different ideas of peace?
- Are there any similarities or common themes between your contributions to the peascape?
- Is there one part which best sums up peace for you? And why?
- What is the main difference between the peascape and the images of conflict you saw earlier?
- Is it possible to define peace without using the word war or seeing it as the opposite of conflict?
- What do we need to create peace?
- Is it possible for us, children and young people, to create peace? What can we do?
Tips for facilitators
- You can adapt the activity and make it appropriate for different age groups by finding your own images of conflict
- Depending on the age group, you could also have a look at different definitions of peace that you can search online. You might think about whether peace is always to do with being calm and serene, or if it sometimes involves being active, perhaps protesting. Does it encompass other values like friendship, cooperation or equality?
- The peascape, or parts of it, could be transformed into a banner for the group. This could involve using fabric paints on an old sheet or sewing and applique