This is a reference for Gergely Kiss

Sounds of Silence

The training activity took place
in Hollókő, Hungary
organised by GYIÖT
4-10 October 2017

Aims & objectives

The aim was to explore the sounds of silence and perceive it as a powerful tool, which contributes to qualitative group learning processes.
To achieve this, we set up the following objectives:
- Create a common understanding of silence as a supportive tool for learning
- Conscious experiencing of silence as an individual and in a group context
- Use silence for participants’ personal and professional development through self- and group reflection (self-discipline, self-expression, self-awareness)
- The recognition of applying silence in diverse ways (e.g. coaching, mentoring, mindfulness, storytelling, focus exercises etc.) in youth work

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

3 Trainers, 1 Support Staff.

24 participants from the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain.

Training methods used & main activities

- The Way of Council
- Artistic creation
- Mindfulness
- Coaching exercises
- Applied improvisation
- Body movement
- Short interactive presentations
- Icebreakers, games, group work
- Silence challenges to foster learning and reflection on advantages and disadvantages of silence.
- Open space method of sharing best practices of non-formal educational tools and methods
- Facilitated discussions
- Reflection time
- Individual reflection time
- Group reflection and evaluation
- Trainer’s talk through Skype
- Video projection

Outcomes of the activity

As coming from different backgrounds the participants of Sounds of Silence TC were also invited to share and discuss how they use silence in their own practice. Our perception was that there might have been some differences between those, who work mainly with individuals and those who work with individuals in groups. We asked participants to think about how they use silence as a way of communication, mainly non-verbally; how they use it for their own professional development; what it means for their clients and for themselves as someone supporting their well-being. There are for sure much more layers of how silence can be used in any professional relationship with individuals or groups.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

Co-creation of the event, I was one of the Trainers.

I worked on this training for 7 days as a full time trainer.

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