An interactive presentation of specific activities inspired by the Narrative 4 methodology and the Story Exchange educational programme, connected with Radka Bodzewicz’s exhibition FAUST.

Presentation of Narrative 4 with Leonie Kerins and Alex Wynn

How can you practice active listening? How can you craft a good story? Try these specific activities focused on storytelling and developing empathy, intended for classroom instruction or library programmes.

Leonie Kerins is the director of development for N4 Ireland. She is a nonprofit and international development professional with almost three decades of experience. She previously led the growth of the Ifrah Foundation, advancing its mission to end gender-based violence. Before that, she spent ten years at a migrant support organisation in Limerick, where she influenced policy locally and nationally while overseeing critical services for diverse communities. Kerins also spent over a decade with UNESCO in Paris, supporting World Heritage initiatives and serving in the secretariat of its executive board. She holds a BSocSc from University College Cork and an MSc in development from the London School of Economics, where her research focused on migrant integration in Ireland. She is passionate about equity, cultural exchange, and community-building.

Alex Wynne is the programme coordinator for N4 Ireland. He earned a BA in English and history from the University of Limerick, where he later completed a creative writing MA. He also lived for some time in Spain, where he taught English as a second language. He is interested in stories and their ability to connect people. He believes in the importance of open and honest communication and thinks that creative expression is vital for understanding others and himself. He joined the N4 Ireland team in 2025, and he currently lives in Limerick.

Story Exchange educational programme for the exhibition FAUST

Storytelling, as it is used in the Narrative 4 methodology and DOX’s educational programmes, allows us to experience the sharing of stories with another person in a way that seems simple at first glance – listening and retelling. And there is power in simplicity. Colum McCann, a world-renowned Irish writer and founder of Narrative 4, has named this concept “radical empathy”, and it helps foster understanding wherever people experience life differently and see the world from different points of view.

The foundation of the experiential programme is the participants’ own authentic stories – and authenticity is essential. The personal story, a childhood experience, should be on the topic of “transformation” and should be no more than five minutes long. And because it is meant to be shared, each participant can decide whether to choose a story that is sad, happy, serious, or light-hearted. Participants will prepare their stories in advance.

Programme

11.30–12.30 Presentation
12.30–14.30 Story Exchange