The Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center explored how to enrich policy dialogues through two innovative approaches: humour and acrobatics. Cartoons used visual depictions of analogy and metaphor that communicated complex concepts and lightly capturing absurdities, tension and dangers pertaining to policy processes. Acrobatics and circus art activities involved balance, agility and motor coordination, during tailor made performances and interactive workshops.
Learning shows that the sessions helped respondents understand and discuss issues by presenting complex topics simply. The following themes emerged around how humour and acrobatics can meaningfully contribute to policy discussions:
- Enhancing engagement: Creative methods can break down barriers and encourage open dialogue, making complex issues relatable and can offer safe spaces for candour and courage.
- Stimulating new thinking: Creative approaches can disrupt conventional thinking patterns and invite new and innovative solutions.
- Connecting human cognition and emotion: creativity in policy discussions can help bring humanity into the conversation, allowing people to connect on a deeper level.
- Trusting and bonding: our methods helped build trust and foster a sense of unity, a crucial element for effective policy making and breaking through the monotony of traditional formats.
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Themes
Advocacy and media