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Values in action!

This toolkit invites young people to explore and reflect on their personal values and their role in shaping meaningful careers and relationships. Through interactive activities, participants will deepen their understanding of sustainability and develop strategies to align their values with their actions in everyday life.

Activity 1

WHAT IS A VALUE?

Estimated Time 20 Minutes

A collaborative exploration of the concept of 'value' through brainstorming, discussion, and comparison with formal definitions.

Materials and equipment required:

  • Sticky notes
  • Pens for participants
  • Poster board
  • Poster with the dictionary definition
  • Marker pens

Description of the activity:

The trainer tries to bring out the group's imagination related to the word ‘value’ and asks the group: If I say the word ‘value’, what comes to mind? Participants share their ideas in a discussion or by writing the related words on post-it notes that are attached to a poster board.

The facilitator reads the collected notes, and after a general overview asks participants what they think the DEFINITION of ‘value’ might be.

Once they have defined what ‘value’ means to the group, the facilitator reads the dictionary definition:

“Importance that a thing, material or abstract, has, both objectively in itself and subjectively in the judgement of individuals.”

And he/she asks:

  • In your opinion, is this an appropriate definition?
  • Is it what you thought of during the ice-breaker?
  • Are there elements that emerge in this definition that you had not considered?

After reflecting on a common definition, you will try to understand which particular values are important to the group members.

Tips for Youth Workers:

  • It is important to be facilitators of the discussion, thus letting the group reason before giving the dictionary definition.
  • Value the contributions and ask for further explanation if required.