Toledo method

I n t r o

TOLEDO Role play has been initially created in Israel by Prof. Aviva Doron, UNESCO Chair in Intercultural Dialogue, University of Haifa. The aim of the game is to assist in education towards tolerance between peoples and openness between those of different religions and cultures. The game is based on a historical city of Toledo, known as the “City of Tolerance” which excelled at developing co-existence of Christians, Jews and Moslems.

P r i n c i p l e s 

Each participant is given the task of playing one of the inhabitants of Toledo. He or she will be provided a card which contains details of the identity, occupation, education of the character and his/her position regarding the other communities. According to the description of the character, the participants will have to exhibit feelings, position and his reaction to a violent and unusual event that threatens the tolerant lifestyle of Toledo.

S t a g e O n e

The group is divided into three more or less equal groups. Next, the participants introduce themselves by reading aloud from their cards. When finished the mediator presents the story and describes the dilemma of the game: what should the reaction be to a violent event that took place in the city which threatens the tolerance between the Muslim, Christians and Jews. Next, the mediator distributes a background sheet and the dilemma sheet. The participants must be encouraged to stick to the character they are portraying, since the objective of the play is to try to understand the other and his world, and to respond in accordance with his opinions and positions. The mediator plays the part of one of the leaders of the Christian Community, who has called members of all three sides to resolve the issue.

S t a g e T w o

Each ‘community’ convenes to discuss its response to the issue in question. They each appoint a chairman, who will be given the dilemma sheet and the background sheet with guidelines for the discussion. An observer can be appointed for each community: he will be the secretary, and will document the proceedings and decision-making process. Each member of the community needs to give his opinion on the story they have heard. Next the discussion will focus on the dilemma. The background sheets will help the participants to keep within the historical framework and the atmosphere of the times. Each group will chose a representative or let the chairman announce the groups' decision to the mediator. 

S t a g e T h r e e

The communities will now convene for a two stage discussion where the community representatives will present their conclusions on the Toledo role-play experience and the participants will give their opinions as to the value of the Toledo model in respect of tensions and co-existence in the modern world in general.

Reference:

Aviva Doron, "Delicate Balance: Role Play-Toledo as a Model." UNESCO: University of Haifa