A Guide for the Play for Peace Community ®
Participating in the World Interfaith Harmony Week!
Table of Contents ❖ ❖
❖ ❖ ❖ ❖
Ways to Play Introduction.............................................p.2 Sections: ➢ #1 Cooperative Activities......................................................p.3 ➢ #2 Spiritual Playdate.............................................................p.4 ➢ #3 Agent of Compassion Mission.........................................p.7 How to join World Interfaith Harmony Week.................p.8 Reporting your Activities...............................................p.9 About Play for Peace Organization..............................p.11 Notes............................................................................p.12
A Guide for the Play for Peace Community
World Interfaith Harmony Week: Promoting acts of Peace, Collaboration and Tolerance through a 7 day global challenge between
people of all faith, spiritual, and humanistic traditions. Beginning on February 1st and going through February 7th, individuals and teams will use the spirit of coopetition to inspire acts collaborative acts of service to give back to their communities and strengthen mutual respect, understanding, and harmony between people of all backgrounds.
World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General
Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan. Just under a month later, on October 20, 2010, it was unanimously adopted by the UN and henceforth the first week of February will be observed as a World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Play for Peace is a global learning community that trains and supports young
leaders around the world who inspire compassion in action and friendships across divides of culture, religion and beliefs. Cooperative play and community service are our tools to teach kids, teenagers and adults that the "enemy" is someone not so different from themselves and to learn that when we work (and play!) together, peace is possible.
1
Ways to Play
Playing Together Changes the World! The Compassion Games are a powerful social tool designed to ignite, amplify, and catalyze compassionate action in communities around the world. By infusing the power of playfulness and compassion with the fun of friendly competition. The Games offer a unique way to strive together to serve: each other, our own personal well-being, and the Earth. The Ways to Play are grouped into three dimensions: Cooperative Activities, Spiritual Playdate and Compassion Games Mission. However, the activities in this packet are just suggestions! There is no 1 correct way to play! You can make up your own activities to play during World Interfaith Harmony Week. In fact, we
can’t wait to hear about your original ideas.
When you report on the activities you did, you (or your team) will get “points” for the number of service hours, volunteers participating and money raised for good causes, and this acknowledgement of your work will inspire other to be more compassionate. No one can lose the Compassion Games and as the more people play, the more people win! There are several ways you, or a group of friends can join and play in World Interfaith Harmony Week. Learn more about some of the suggested “Ways to Play” below. Play for Peace volunteers, please include your volunteer hours on Games reports, Play for Peace Clubs all Practice Peace Sessions count. Play for Peace Trainers, all Play for Peace Training should be included!
Let the Games Begin!
2
Section #1 COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES Taking some all time favorites from the Play for Peace library and adding the element of Faith through belief, hope and harmony. Here are some activities to try in this year's World Interfaith Harmony Week games. Explore your faith and the strength it brings you. Enjoy! Thank you Craig Dobkin for these activities!
WAYS TO PLAY from Play for Peace
❖ FINDING (YOUR) FAITH! Materials needed: None. ➢ Before you begin, define the term Faith with the group. Ask, “what does faith feel like to you?” ➢ Create your boundary lines. ➢ Walking within the boundaries (always with one foot remaining on the ground). ➢ Commence and try and tag someone (using two fingers to tag!). ➢ Once tagged, to become unfrozen you must share what faith means to you OR something you have faith in ! Do, say or even sing an expression of your faith! ➢ Have a discussion at the end of the game, you might want to include; “What did they learn/like best about expressing their faith? Share their favorite expression of their faith with the group!” ❖ STRENGTHENING OF YOUR FAITH! Materials needed: None. ➢ Form two lines, standing shoulder to shoulder. Reach out your fingers to touch each other, creating a Faith Runway to pass through. ➢ The person who is ready to go states “I have Faith in us!” ➢ Awaits the response from the group “Have Faith!”
3
➢ The person runs through the Faith Runway as those supporting the runway, raise or remove their hands before the person runs into them. ➢ Take turns going through. ➢ Have a discussion at the end to explore what their experiences were like, you might want to include; “What did trusting your Faith, yourself and others feel like?” “What did the arms blocking your way in front of you remind of? Obstacles in your life? What are some of those and how can your faith help?” ❖ FINDING HARMONY! Materials needed: A lighter ball works best. Or a balloon. ➢ Have the group keep the ball from touching the ground. (Or allowing one bounce may be prefered if using a heavier ball.) ➢ Count the number of hits to the ball. ➢ Once it hits the floor (or a double bounce depending on your rules) start the count over trying to surpass the count achieved by the group. ● Everyone must get a turn connecting with ball. ● Not allowed to hit the ball twice in a row. ● Not allow to catch (hold onto) the ball. ➢ Discussion questions after: “On a scale between 110, how do you feel you did?” ➢ Have a discussion at the end to explore what their experiences were like, you might want to include;“On a scale between 110, how do you feel the group did?” and/or “From the others games we found we all have faith in different things; does this allow us to still all work together in harmony?”
Section #2 SPIRITUAL PLAYDATE
Spiritual Playdate is an interfaith webbased program that explores the topics of god and faith through group “playdates” in the home at schools or at faith organizations. Kids and their parents or mentors discover their beliefs through a diverse
4
framework of faithbased and spiritual topics and resources that we provide, which cover a variety of different subjects and lessons. Mission In our ever changing, modern world, Spiritual Playdate fosters dialogue through a global interfaith program enabling adults, kids, and organizations to explore and discover beliefs about the topic of god through webbased educational tools designed to build bridges of acceptance and understanding. Spiritual Playdate www.spiritualplaydate.com info@spiritualplaydate.com
WAYS TO PLAY (by Spiritual Playdate) ❖ SOUL TALKS What is a Soul Talk? A Soul Talk is a prewritten outline for your use during each Playdate. Each Soul Talk contains a suggested script of questions and common answers, activity choices, book choices, music choices, and more. What’s unique about Soul Talks is that they cover a wide variety of topics, such as What is God, Love, Forgiveness, World Religions, Holy Books and Texts, and many others. ➢ Who should lead our group’s Soul Talk? Each Soul Talk is designed to be led by an adult
facilitator, which your group decides on ahead of time. The facilitator is responsible for reading the script aloud for your playgroup and keeping things moving along. We suggest that all adults in your playgroup take turns facilitating the various sessions. This will help to keep your sessions more playful and interactive.
➢ What kind of configuration should our group be in? Try a circle on the floor where everyone is on the same level, and alternate with the adults sitting in between the kids. Can’t sit on the floor? Find somewhere comfortable for everyone, but make sure you can see everyone’s face. ➢ How do we keep things moving along? Try to keep the cross talk to a minimum (or you’ll never get through it). When answering, take turns while going around your circle. Ask everyone to save their questions or comments until after everyone in the circle has had their say. Remind everyone that they are here to listen to each other, so no interrupting. If there is still too much chatter, get a small ball or stuffed animal. Pass the object to the next speaker to remind everyone else to be active listeners. ➢ What kind of tone should we set? Keep your Playdate lighthearted. Whether you’re an adult 5
or a kid, this gathering shouldn’t be stressful for anyone. Your group is coming together for a journey of faith and it is meant to be fun. It is also important to make sure that you are providing a safe space for everyone to speak. Remind your playgroup that they should try not to judge the ideas that they hear from anyone in the group. This program works best when everyone feels comfortable expressing their thoughts. Keep in mind that the nature of these topics may lead to many wild ideas that may or may not be true – but that is why we have come together. Remember the Playdate core affirmation: “I respect and honor you and your beliefs.”
A few safe starter statements for adults: I believe…. You may be right…. That’s an interesting idea, but my thinking is a little different… Thank you for your thoughts… ➢ What if the group is a little rowdy or doesn’t seem like they want to participate this time? Start by taking a breath and letting your playgroup go with the flow. We’re working with kids here, so remember that some weeks are going to be smoother than others. Try changing up the order of the Soul Talk, such as trying a song, video, or meditation before the discussion, giving everyone an object to fidget with, or even grabbing a snack to share.
➢ What if we are frustrated? Just keep going, and don’t throw in the towel. Every playgroup
needs a chance to gain some traction. We suggest you try at least four Playdates before you evaluate whether or not Spiritual Playdate is the right fit for you. If you really want to open the doors of your home and heart to an honest spiritual conversation with your kids, it will take an ongoing commitment. Every spiritual journey is a marathon, not a sprint. All of us here at Spiritual Playdate are working to provide you with as many spiritual and religious tools as possible to have these conversations. Ultimately though, it is up to you and your playgroup to start and continue this path of discovery.
❖ Access the SPIRITUAL PLAYDATE Faith Soul Talk! ➢ This soul talk is interactive and includes cooperative play activities as well “little meditations,”
affirmations and discussion questions/starters. Audio and reading options available. Please click here to access this free Soul Talk.
6
Section #3 AGENT of COMPASSION MISSIONS
“It has been discovered that a powerful antidote exists that can counteract the hate, hurt, and negativity that plagues our global community. This highly potent antidote is called “compassion,” and it exists within you.” During each day of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, all players will receive Agent of Compassion Missions that offers tangible ideas and inspiration for ways to play. Agents of Compassion continue to be a simple and meaningful way to bring compassion to life for oneself, others, and the Earth! They are a great supplement to service projects as well.
WAYS TO PLAY as an Agent of Compassion
❖ Receive your daily missions via email every day throughout the games. ➢ Make sure Play for Peace has your current and correct email address ➢ Wait to receive your daily email throughout the games for great ideas on how to play. ➢ Mission received, mission accepted? If this mission inspires you and/or your team to act, than please stop reading and go have some fun! ➢ Mission accomplished? Please take a few more moments to reflect and share by reporting in on your mission.
7
How can I join World Interfaith Harmony Week? You can join as individual or team with your Play for Peace Club, classroom, or group of friends/coworkers. By clicking the link here . This one form signs you up for all Compassion Games events throughout the year! There is no cost to join! Use this “Play for Peace Ways to Play” as a resource guide for both individuals and teams. For more ideas on how to play, feel free to reference the Compassion Games website, the Spiritual Playdate website and the Practice Peace Session Guide. Before World Interfaith Harmony Week begins, you can connect with organizers to plan and promote your activities.
REPORTING TO COMPASSION GAMES Time to share your activities! First and foremost, PLAY ! Be generous, compassionate and have fun! Once you have completed an activity though, it is time to share it with others! Log on to the Compassion Games website , fillout a short report and in doing so, help inspire others with your acts of Compassion.
How to submit reports: Please refer to the following screen shots that will guide you the reporting process. Click here to begin!
8
9
10
11
If you need any further assistance during or at the end of the games submitting your reports, please let me know! Email me directly at amanda@playforpeace.org.
12
About Play for Peace Organization Overview Play for Peace (PFP), a nonprofit INGO based in Chicago. Play for Peace is a community of people who are, right now, creating a world that fosters coexistence.Children, youth and adults from communities in conflict, are deciding to choose compassion and practice coexistence, and they are learning to do this through the joy of play. Through cooperative play, we have a universal and nonthreatening platform around which people can come together and learn. Play creates a gateway to moments when differences dissolve, fear melts away, and we see what connects us rather than what divides us.
Mission To bring together children, youth and organizations from communities in conflict, using cooperative play to create laughter, compassion and peace .
Goals Play for Peace Program changes young lives, educates children and transforms communities, specifically : ● Creating safe environments in which people of all ages can experience the joy of play. ● Promoting positive relationships among people of societies in conflict. ● Fostering leaders for peace around the world. ● Building selfsustaining learning communities in which all of our region's work interdependently to build a more peaceful world.
Play for Peace Method
LAUGHTER ⇛ COMPASSION ⇛ PEACE
Join Play for Peace Individuals and Communities join us through our Global Learning Community receiving training, educational resources and cultural exchange opportunities that promote lifelong learning and development for adult mentors, youth leaders and compassionate children. Find out more about how to join Play for Peace here .
13
NOTES:
14