Creating safer space to encourage participation

It is important to create a safe atmosphere during any kind of group work, to make sure that everyone can participate actively. Agreeing a shared set of principles for creating safer space can really help everyone feel comfortable and confident, which contributes to social sustainability. Humans make mistakes, and knowing how to deal with them makes participation easier.

Here’s a sample list of principles that were created by Kansalaisfoorumi for their courses. Feel free to use and tweak these!

1. Be kind and respectful during discussions. 
2. We are all responsible for ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to be heard and is included in the group. 
3. Try to speak plainly so that everyone understands. It is ok to ask questions and seek understanding! 
4. If you unintentionally offend or interrupt someone, apologize and move forward. 
5. Be constructive when you disagree with someone. 
6. Everyone should be treated with equal respect. We are all responsible for intervening in cases of inappropriate behaviour. 
7. Be open and curious. Don’t assume anything, e.g. about a person’s life situation, background, ability, or gender. 
8. Treat each other with empathy and care. 
9. Respect each other’s boundaries. 
10. If you wish to take a picture of others, ask for permission.

Creating your own principles

It is easier to commit to principles when you have created them together as a group. Arrange time for having a discussion, where:

• Everyone has an opportunity to consider and express what makes them feel safe in a group situation. Consider making the sharing anonymous, so that group members feel comfortable mentioning sometimes difficult feelings. For example, the participants can write thoughts on notes and combine them in a box, or you can use an online tool such as Miro where everyone can share ideas anonymously.
• The shared ideas then are discussed together and formed into a list of principles. The list can be short or long, and the format can reflect your group. 
• Everyone agrees to the principles that have been created.

Put the list up somewhere visible, or show a reminder of it at the beginning of meetings.