Taking a Stand (Confronted Opinions)
Topic: Resilience
Emotional Intensity: LOW
Format: Supporting exercise
Source / Author: Adapted from participatory dialogue and civic education practices
Topic
Resilience
Also relevant for
Intercultural Dialogue, Participation, Democratic Culture, Community and Inclusion
Objective (learning focus)
Support participants in expressing perspectives, listening to different viewpoints, and experiencing respectful disagreement in a physically engaging and inclusive way.
Target group
Youth (14–18) / Young adults (18–35)
Group size
8–25 participants
Timing
20–35 minutes
Materials Needed
Open space; two clearly marked areas or corners
Step-by-step guide:
Setting the space (3–5 min)
Mark two opposite sides of the room representing two positions (e.g. agree / disagree or this / that). Explain that changing positions is allowed and encouraged.Statements & positioning (10–15 min)
Read out a statement relevant to community life, inclusion, or everyday experiences. It is recommended to structure the statements in three layers, moving from lighter and more concrete statements toward slightly more reflective ones, to help understand your target audience better. Some examples include: “Humour helps people connect quickly in a group” and “Comfort and belonging are not always the same thing”. You can contextualise your statements based on your target audience and in which context you are implementing but a good test for what is a good statement is this: a participant should be able to choose a position without feeling exposed, shamed, or pushed to justify a personal history. Participants move to the side that best reflects their view.Short sharing (5–10 min)
Invite up to 2–3 participants from each side to briefly share why they chose that position (max. 30 seconds each to keep flow and safety).Reflection & movement (5 min)
After hearing arguments, participants may switch sides if their perspective has shifted. Facilitate a short group reflection on how it felt to stand, listen, or change position.
Expected outcomes (for participants)
– Increased awareness of different perspectives within a group
– Practice in respectful listening and expressing opinions
– Reduced fear of disagreement
– Stronger sense of inclusion despite differences
Trauma-informed note
– Statements must be pre-selected and non-triggering
– Participation in speaking is voluntary; standing in silence is acceptable
– Emphasize curiosity over debate or persuasion
Adaptation (context / intercultural / age)
For intercultural groups, use statements related to everyday experiences rather than political or identity-heavy topics.
When working with younger participants, or as a preventive measure to avoid conflict situations, it is recommended to use the DESC method as a structured way to express one’s position respectfully and clearly.
Recommendations for facilitators
Frame disagreement as a normal and valuable part of community life. Avoid framing the exercise as a debate. Monitor emotional tone and intervene if discussions become personal or polarizing.The DESC methodology should be left in the open and encouraged to be used in statements.
What the DESC method is
The DESC method is a structured communication technique used to express one’s perspective clearly and respectfully, particularly in situations of disagreement or tension. It is widely used in conflict management, assertive communication, and facilitation settings.
The acronym stands for:
D – Describe
State the situation factually and neutrally, without judgment or interpretation.E – Express
Share your feelings, reactions, or concerns about the situation.S – Specify
Clearly state what you would like to happen or change.C – Consequences
Explain the positive outcome or impact if the change occurs (or sometimes the impact if it does not).
This structure helps participants avoid blame, generalization, or escalation, and instead communicate in a way that is constructive and grounded in personal experience.