The turning tables of action

Content description

The turning tables of action tool will be a key element in the deployment of actions contributing to empowerment in a collective or partner group. Indeed, through a large moving brainstorming session, you will lead your organisation to develop ideas for actions that will empower people in vulnerable situations. Are you ready for an outpouring of ideas?

Practical use

Let’s get started!
> To start the workshop, identify a limited number of questions (about 3 or 4) that you want to get participants thinking about;
> Then, position in the space with the greatest care, as many tables as there are issues to be addressed;
> Then, with your best pen, write down one question per poster (minimum A3 size), and distribute each question poster on each of the tables arranged.

Now everything is ready!
Then stand on your two legs and raise your voice for the instructions:
> «Sit down at a table and discuss your ideas with the group and write them down on the posters;
> You can stay as long as you like around the question-table you are interested in. However, every 30 minutes a sound will be produced inviting you, if you wish, to join another table to discuss another issue with new people. If it is found that people are not moving from one table to another, it is possible to propose 3 rounds: the first one of 35 minutes, the second one of 20 minutes and the last one of 15 minutes.

A few examples of questions on the theme of violence against women to get some ideas:
> How to prevent or raise awareness of violence against women?
> What can our organisation do to find solutions for victims of violence?
> How can we build solidarity between people in vulnerable situations?

What’s the final word?

You have two options to wrap up this giant brainstorm:

• The first is to make a wall display of the posters. In this case, suggest to the participants to walk around the space to get acquainted with all the proposals
  that have emerged.

• The second is to organize a collective restitution. Be careful, you must allow enough time for the restitution. In pairs, two rapporteurs, per poster, voluntarily offer to read out loud the proposals. At the end of the reading, the audience can add or react to these ideas for solutions.

It should be noted that there are several versions of turning tables. The proposed method can take other forms, such as a World Café during which the groups
supplement each other’s ideas based on what has already been written.

To synthesize

Don’t forget to remind participants that the point of these turning tables is to give everyone a voice in order to be able to make propositions and to allow the
most unexpected ideas to be as creative as possible.
The final goal is for the organisation to integrate the proposals for action into a strategic plan to help empower (the most vulnerable people).