Aim: That young people discuss and clarify their understanding of violence and peace.
You need: 4 wall charts
What you need to do
Stick four sheets of paper on the wall, each with one of the following written on it: "Very Violent"; "Violent"; "Rough"; "Peaceful".
One by one call out the actions on the list. Each person decides for him/herself how violent it is and stands beside the appropriate sheet.
At some statements the leader may ask the participants to try to convince others to change their minds and move to their sheet.
Discussion suggestions
Choose four of the statements about which the group felt most strongly or on which there was most conflict. List what effects this action has on victims. List also what effect it has on other people. Try to understand what's going on inside a person who uses this violence. Think of ways in which your right to protection from violence can be guaranteed.
Sample actions
Bullying
Picketing a shop selling rugs made using child labour
Drinking and driving
Singing Republican rebel songs
Doing drugs
Slapping children
Being stopped from having a cultural parade
Starting nuclear war
Listening to someone you disagree with
Forcing a person to listen to someone they disagree with
Being forced to join the army
Teachers or youth leaders making fun of young people Vandalising public transport
Joy-riding
Writing a letter of protest to a newspaper
Watching a violent video
Supporting the death penalty
Writing "Brits Out" on a wall
Pushing a child so they don't fall into a fire
Defending yourself from being mugged in the street
Refusing a person entry to a club because of the way she is dressed
Selling landmines
A man hitting his wife
Killing a soldier
Shouting at someone in the street
Writing racist or threatening slogans on walls
A paramilitary punishment beating of a joy-rider
A group of local parents threatening local drug dealers
Using animals in experiments
The council not providing you with services like electricity or water
Blocking a road to stop animals being carried into a ship
