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 Rachel Gleeson

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.

Rachel Gleeson is a programme manager and instructor at Narrative 4, a global organisation that promotes a methodology of storytelling and empathy-building in education. She holds a degree in psychology with a focus on early childhood care, and she is particularly interested in interpersonal communication and the impact of sharing personal stories on the formation and development of human relationships.

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