Diversity by Default - Facilitators' Training

When it comes to initiating conversations with a total strangers, what would be a topic of interest that would keep the conversation alive for the next hour. Do silences mean that the conversation is stale and the other party is bored of your company?

‘Diversity by Default’ introduces a platform for people from all walks of life to meet each other and get to know one another’s stance on different issues concerning communities on global, national and individual contexts. As one of the facilitators in training, we would pick up and further develop skills that will enable us to facilitate deeper conversations about concerning issues such as navigate challenging conversations and thought provoking discussion prompts.

We started our session with, of course a mini self-introductory activity for a warm up, and then we proceeded to doing a speed-run of the card game ‘Diversity by Default’. Each card from this deck presents the player with a thought-provoking question relating to either one of the topics on Race & Religion, Nationality, and Mental Health and Disabilities.

It was truly eye-opening to gain a better understanding of thought processes and perspectives of newfound friends who were of different demographics from mine. The training session had me realising that in the end, we aren’t that different from each other despite living entirely different lives. This notion has indeed brought me comfort as a student still trying to figure how to navigate life, especially whilst transiting from one season to another because at the end of the day, everyone eventually finds their own unique way around unknown situations.

At the end of the day, the training was a fruitful journey and I am hopeful that I will be able to use these newly enhanced conversational and interpersonal skills to take myself through important conversations on various social issues.