Card's author : Frédéric Renier, Supagro Florac

Card's type of licence : Creative Commons BY-SA

To begin with : The moving discussion is a facilitation tool that makes it easier to take the floor in public in a group.

Keywords :

Tool's boxes : Animation

Introduction : The moving discussion (still called the Positioning game) is a dynamic form of discussion that promotes participation.

A facilitator tells a story that is purposefully controversial. At some key moments in the story, he invites several participants to move to a certain spot within the room, "those who don't agree with what has just been said go to one side, those who agree, go to the opposite side".
Nobody can stay in the middle (without a reason), moving in the room really pushes participants to take a side and to provide reasons.
Once everyone has chosen "their side", the facilitator then asks who would like to take the floor to explain their position.
To start the discussion, he may start by asking who has a strong view regarding what was just said.
When one side has given their reasons, it's the turn of the other side to express its reasons. It is like a game of ping-pong. If one of the participants decides that a reason given by the other side is valid, he or she may change sides.
When the facilitator decides, the discussion ends and the story continues until the next controversial statement or situation arises, when the discussion starts again.

Requirements :

A minimum number of participants (around ten).
A controversial story where participants can feel represented.
A spacious room.
Posters to mark-off the different areas (agree, disagree).
Explaining the rules of the game (nobody is forced to speak, but they must all choose a side).
Activity duration: 1:30h seems a reasonable duration.

Some practical uses :

Breaking the ice quickly between participants, having to take a side quickly becomes a game and contributes to participation.
Promoting the participation of the largest number of people, if the facilitator encourages those who have not yet spoken to take the floor.
Clarifying everyone's position; showing the diversity of opinions in one another.

Using the tools :
An example of a moving discussion organised by SCOP Le Pavé

Going further :

It is possible to write down the reasons as they arise in the discussion and map them.
It is possible to give each side 5 minutes or more to fine-tune their reasons collectively.

Advantages :

Drawbacks :

It is not certain that the discussion will actually "flow".
Some participants who do not feel comfortable in a group or with the logic of reasons may feel excluded; this form of discussion should be complemented with other forms depending on available time, number of participants and goals.

Licence : Free

Using : Easy

Setting up : No setting up

Moving discussion