Session 8:
Reflections/workshop summary
60min
Format: 
Presentation and discussion
Summary: 

A presentation that summarises workshop points and draws out key spoken and unspoken underlying themes.

Activities:

Presentation of workshop summary and key reflections, followed by a group discussion.

Session objectives:

  • to pull together and reflect on the main points from the first two days of the workshop;
  • to reflect on particularly important themes and undercurrents of the workshop; and
  • to provide space for participants to absorb, respond and add to reflections on the workshop.

Adaptation notes:

  • Some summary points can be woven into the rest of Day Three.

Key explanation points:

A primary task of the facilitators is to listen carefully to participants and to ‘reflect’ back to them some of the key themes and concerns – spoken and unspoken – raised during the workshop. This is an ongoing process, and part of it will happen during the ‘contextual analysis’ presentation and discussion on Day Two.

However, it is particularly important that on the final day of the workshop, the facilitators prepare a specific reflection presentation that relates to the themes participants raised on the first two days of the workshop.

This is a time to summarise the workshop and an opportunity to raise deeper, unspoken – yet critical – issues that require participants’ attention.

In past workshops, this reflection has addressed themes such as coping with fear, violence, breaking down barriers, grief and dealing with stresses that seem insurmountable.

Facilitation notes:

After the reflection presentation, the group will have an opportunity to respond, to add comments and to elaborate ideas. This is time set aside for reactions, but also can be used to discuss something that is missing orneeds more work.

Keep in mind that this can be a difficult process for participants, and reactions can be strong and emotional.

The download below is meant as an example for facilitators only – a reflection presentation always should be adapted to the participants’ contexts and priorities.