Coexistence Through Disagreement
| Keywords | Education |
| Target Group | Children (6-12) |
| Used Methods | Discussions |
| Categories | Educating |
| Level of Participation | Local Level |
| Approach | Low-Threshold |
| Format of the Method | Analog (Face To Face) |
| Location or Venue | Odesa, Ukraine |
| Number of Participants | 8 |
Duration
| From | Until |
| 04/05/2026 | 31/05/2026 |
Short Description
In modern society, people often fail to discuss complex topics
without conflict. Opinions begin to clash instead of engaging
in normal dialogue. Typically, one of two things happens:
either the imposition of one’s views or a complete disregard
for the other’s position.
The project’s main problem is the lack of a culture of
respectful disagreement and equal dialogue between people
with different views
Step-by-step explanation
Step 1
Introductory Training
The first meeting is aimed at creating a safe atmosphere and
introducing participants to the main concepts.
Training topics: how to express disagreement without aggression
how to argue without humiliating another person
how to recognize discriminatory statements
why different opinions are normal
how to avoid imposing your own position
Step 2
Introductory Training
Main Activity: Conflict to Construction
We use real controversial topics, and participants write down
three steps:
1.Conflict statement (how people often speak in real life / “I
am against…”)
2.Neutral statement (a factual and non-emotional
formulation)
3.Constructive statement (answering the question: how can
we coexist?
Step 3
Introductory Training
Topics for discussion connected to discrimination:
Age: Why are young people’s opinions often not taken
seriously?
Health: Why are people with health conditions or disabilities
often pitied instead of respected?
Financial Situation: Why are people sometimes judged by
their clothes or money?
Identity: Should society learn to calmly accept people with
different lifestyles?
Religion: Should a person hide their religion to avoid
judgment?
Step 4
Role-switch Debate +
Exclusion Experience
Step 5
Role-switch Debate +
Exclusion Experience
Part 1. Role Switch
First, participants share their real opinions, and then they are
given a role with the completely opposite position, which
they must defend.
Topics:
Should religion influence public decisions?
Should opinions that may offend someone be banned?
Can a minority be more important than the majority in some
issues?
Step 6
Role-switch Debate +
Exclusion Experience
Part 2. Exclusion
During the discussion, one or several participants are
temporarily excluded from the conversation without
explanation. After that, they return.
Afterwards, a reflection session is held.
How do you feel when you are excluded?
Can society be fair if some people are ignored?
Does one single “right solution” really exist?
Step 7
Results
Participants are led out one by one, and only after that are the blindfolds
removed.
This helps maintain anonymity and a sense of trust.
freedom of expression
understanding of differences
the right to participate in discussions
combating discrimination
critical thinking
the ability to live in a society with diverse
perspectives
Goals
Teach the coexistence of opinions rather than their suppression.
Develop the ability to listen to opposing opinions.
To convey the idea that it’s not necessary to agree, but it’s important to
respect and understand each other.
To demonstrate the importance of inclusion for all groups in society
to reduce prejudice
to see the person behind the opinion
to develop understanding and cohesion
What is needed
6 participants:
2 younger school students
2 teenagers (middle / high school)
2 adults
Dark Circle + invited
journalist who observes and
describes the process from
an outside perspective