issues to explore
ThE standard wE walK paST is the standard we aCcePt
The following societal and cultural issues - or any others that are wanting to be questioned - can be presented as stand-alone presentations/workshops or can be combined in any way; tailoring to your school, tertiary group or company's audience. More time means the opportunity to workshop through the questions.
Read the following synopsises to see which courses inspire exploration; using critical thinking and reflection, as well as participant discussion.
Read the following synopsises to see which courses inspire exploration; using critical thinking and reflection, as well as participant discussion.
LABELS AND THE MEDIA
Question: Has 'human nature' become a social construct?
When the Internet flooded our everyday lives, it brought with it a way to promote and sell ideals and perspectives with a reach that had never existed before. Along with the tried and tested television, media is having an ever-deepening impact on how we navigate through the bombardment of labels; those used for the predominant purpose of getting people to consume.
Can we let go of some? Using critical reflection, critical thinking and some humour, participants discuss and deconstruct the labels we are flooded with. This is an important workshop; for our youth especially.
When the Internet flooded our everyday lives, it brought with it a way to promote and sell ideals and perspectives with a reach that had never existed before. Along with the tried and tested television, media is having an ever-deepening impact on how we navigate through the bombardment of labels; those used for the predominant purpose of getting people to consume.
Can we let go of some? Using critical reflection, critical thinking and some humour, participants discuss and deconstruct the labels we are flooded with. This is an important workshop; for our youth especially.
For parents' eyes first
Question: Have you been noticing the corridors our children (and we) are walking through?
This discussion is designed for parents of students in late Primary School through to High School, critically looking at how narratives and advertisers use passive aggressive means to deliver messages of hyper-masculinity and hyper-sexualisation. These messages are permeating our everyday corridors and can desensitise our developing children's minds. This course gives the opportunity for parents to discuss and evaluate the damaging lessons being taught 'on screen'. Parents whose children participate in a similar - albeit age appropriate - workshop, will have common points for home discussion.
This discussion is designed for parents of students in late Primary School through to High School, critically looking at how narratives and advertisers use passive aggressive means to deliver messages of hyper-masculinity and hyper-sexualisation. These messages are permeating our everyday corridors and can desensitise our developing children's minds. This course gives the opportunity for parents to discuss and evaluate the damaging lessons being taught 'on screen'. Parents whose children participate in a similar - albeit age appropriate - workshop, will have common points for home discussion.
ACTIVISM FIRST HAND
Question: How can we take a stand against the toxic status quo?
'The Standard We Walk Past, Is The Standard We Accept' is a paramount statement, steeped in a simple message - that one must do what one can to take action, however small, against behaviours that tear at our cultural and social fabric. Our youth, especially, need guidance and empowerment, to lead in the change that is urgently needed.
The campaign I started against Wicked Campers demonstrates how a collection of small actions - including actions by those who joined along the way - brought about conversation, awareness and ultimately governmental change.
There is a lot of talk about the importance of awareness - agreed; but action is what's desperately needed.
'The Standard We Walk Past, Is The Standard We Accept' is a paramount statement, steeped in a simple message - that one must do what one can to take action, however small, against behaviours that tear at our cultural and social fabric. Our youth, especially, need guidance and empowerment, to lead in the change that is urgently needed.
The campaign I started against Wicked Campers demonstrates how a collection of small actions - including actions by those who joined along the way - brought about conversation, awareness and ultimately governmental change.
There is a lot of talk about the importance of awareness - agreed; but action is what's desperately needed.
RELATIONSHIPS THAT COUNT
Question: How are relationships being represented today?
Is life imitating 'art' or the other way around? The answer to this question ultimately leads to the same conclusion; art and life are currently painting perspectives about relationships and sex that are hurting how we relate to each other; including the increasing influence of pornography on our youth.
Whether about friendships, couples or the relationship with oneself, this workshop aims to deconstruct what ideals are being advertised to us; the lessons the media is teaching us about relationships (looking at the representations of males and females and the risk-taking behaviour our youth are too often participating in to mimic them) and - together - create better understanding.
This workshop can be run with both sexes (recommended), all girls or all boys.
Is life imitating 'art' or the other way around? The answer to this question ultimately leads to the same conclusion; art and life are currently painting perspectives about relationships and sex that are hurting how we relate to each other; including the increasing influence of pornography on our youth.
Whether about friendships, couples or the relationship with oneself, this workshop aims to deconstruct what ideals are being advertised to us; the lessons the media is teaching us about relationships (looking at the representations of males and females and the risk-taking behaviour our youth are too often participating in to mimic them) and - together - create better understanding.
This workshop can be run with both sexes (recommended), all girls or all boys.
DEEP BREATH
Question: Do you feel like your own worst enemy at times?
This course provides an important and focussed exploration of being in the right frame of mind, to tackle life's challenges - and see the positive of this. Participants take on initiatives to reduce, self-detrimental inner dialogue, which can create one's biggest barrier. Activities are designed to help unlock true passions within and provide some guidance as to what paths to take. This has been a popular workshop with teenagers nearing the end of high school but great for anyone.
This course provides an important and focussed exploration of being in the right frame of mind, to tackle life's challenges - and see the positive of this. Participants take on initiatives to reduce, self-detrimental inner dialogue, which can create one's biggest barrier. Activities are designed to help unlock true passions within and provide some guidance as to what paths to take. This has been a popular workshop with teenagers nearing the end of high school but great for anyone.
CYBER MATTERS
[one hour]
Question: Are they really *all* your friends?
We have definitely entered a new paradigm in terms of the cyber world. Children and teens, predominantly, are now being raised in an ever-consuming world of technology. It's not all doom and gloom, however, but it's essential to create a balance between the cyber world and the real world; more importantly, to learn that the cyber world is not always one's 'friend'.
We have definitely entered a new paradigm in terms of the cyber world. Children and teens, predominantly, are now being raised in an ever-consuming world of technology. It's not all doom and gloom, however, but it's essential to create a balance between the cyber world and the real world; more importantly, to learn that the cyber world is not always one's 'friend'.
CONSUMPTION + OUR PLANET
[One Hour]
Question: Do we throw away too much because we keep buying more?
We need to - importantly - look at how we consume and the logical effect it's having on the planet that sustains us. Where does all the rubbish go? This is a question that's quietly ignored as we are encouraged to keep buying; but with buying comes waste. We need to explore the ways in which we can lessen the strain on our dear planet. Every little bit counts, as our global population grows.
We need to - importantly - look at how we consume and the logical effect it's having on the planet that sustains us. Where does all the rubbish go? This is a question that's quietly ignored as we are encouraged to keep buying; but with buying comes waste. We need to explore the ways in which we can lessen the strain on our dear planet. Every little bit counts, as our global population grows.
RESILIENCE IS KEY
Question: Ever wanted to take on bullies but felt you couldn't?
This workshop is great for younger students - late Primary / early High School - ones who feel they are still finding their feet in terms of standing up to the pressures they encounter. Resilience is an important quality to have, to get through life's curve balls, and this workshop and its activities may help children find theirs.
This workshop is great for younger students - late Primary / early High School - ones who feel they are still finding their feet in terms of standing up to the pressures they encounter. Resilience is an important quality to have, to get through life's curve balls, and this workshop and its activities may help children find theirs.