Walkshop

• Introduction (15 min): Explain the activity to the participants and hand out the maps and tasks, dividing the participants into smaller groups of 4-5 people.
  Each group gets a different topic/task and a different area to explore, which is marked on the map. The topics and tasks can be anything important and relevant to your context. For instance, one group’s destination is the neighbourhood in which you are located and the topic is inclusion. By walking the area, they should observe the surroundings though the task and topic, which are explained on a handout paper or sent via a digital platform. Be sure the topic and task are explained clearly and provide some questions to help the group immerse into the topic:
  • Exploring inclusion in our neighbourhood
    Today, you will explore your neighbourhood through the lenses of inclusion.
    Inclusion, as best defined, means that the members of an environment or society feel that they are valued, respected, and included regardless of their background or identity. They have the same opportunities as others, and they are not overlooked or excluded. Think about what inclusion means to you. Observe the surrounding through your route considering the following questions:
    • How does this neighbourhood enhance the inclusion of different people?
    • Do you feel included in this surrounding?
    • Imagine you are a person moving with a wheelchair or not speaking the local language. Which elements can you observe that support or fail to support your feeling of inclusion?
    • What would need to change in this neighborhood in order to create a more inclusive and pleasant environment that celebrates diversity?
    • How can we support the idea of inclusion in our daily life?

    Fantasy map creation
    When you return to the working space, you will create an inclusion fantasy map (a map of your neighbourhood) that illustrates your observations and answers to the questions. Design your map to show how this environment could be improved to support the inclusion of different people.  Illustrate what you saw already existing in the area and how you imagine it to be with the proposed improvements.

• Exploring the local community (60 min): Participants go for a walk through the designated area and route, exploring together the given topic and task. They can take notes, photos or just verbally answer the questions and talk about their observations and ideas.
• Creating the fantasy maps (60 min): Participants return to the working space and are given enough time to design the area they’ve explored as a fantasy map. They use a bigger piece of paper (A1, A2 or A3 sizes) and use different drawing materials (pens, colours, collage, even something they’ve collected while walking) to illustrate their observations.
• Presentation and reflection (45 min): Each group presents their fantasy map and explains their observations. Others are encouraged to reflect on and respond to what is shared, fostering discussion and deeper understanding.
  After all the groups presented their maps, an overall reflection can be conducted with the following questions:
  • What did you enjoy about this activity?
  • How was the walk – was it pleasant, hard, insightful…?
  • How did the task help you see the area with a fresh perspective?
  • Did you learn something new about yourself, others and your community?

If time allows and there is interest, the group may explore potential next steps to address specific problems and needs identified through the maps.