Small-Scale Marine Fisheries - A Training Manual (Peace Corps, 1983, 631 p.): Week 2: Training: Session T-9: Values clarification

Small-Scale Marine Fisheries - A Training Manual (Peace Corps, 1983, 631 p.)

Week 2: Training

		Session T-1: Introduction to technical training
		Session T-2: The oceans, rivers, streams of the world an overview of world wide fisheries
		Session T-3: Special projects
		Session T-4: Introduction to nets
		Session T-5: Non-verbal communication
		Session T-6: Introduction to net construction and repair
		Session T-7: Introduction to outboard engines
		Session T-9: Values clarification
		Session T-10: Outboard engine trouble shooting
		Session T-11: Tropical photography - extension

Session T-9: Values clarification

Time: 7:30 PM

Goals:

· For trainees to get in touch with their own value system
· To see what we have learned so far about Purero Rican cultural values
· To explore commonalties and differences
· To find ways of accepting cultural differences

Overview:

In this session, trainees will be asked to list their own cultural values. The purpose is to see how many more of their own values they have identified since living in Puerto Rico and to look at Puerto Rican cultural values, so that trainees can begin to see commonalties and differences. Finally, trainees will be seeking ways to accept the differences. This lays the ground work for extension work training later in the program.

Exercise:

1. Cultural value explorations: mine, ours, theirs, acceptance.

Materials:

· Flip charts, marker pens, tape

EXERCISE 1 - Cultural Values: An Exploration- Mine, Ours, Theirs, Acceptance Total Time: l Hour 45 Minutes

Overview:

To explore different cultural systems. Find ways to accept the differences.

Procedures:

Time	Activities
5 Minutes	1. Trainer posts on newsprint the following diagram:	BELIEFS
		CULTURE
		VALUES
		BEHAVIOR
	Give a brief lecture stating that values are not good or bad, they just are. The reason we want to take a good look at our cultural values in this session is to start at just basically a very general point culture. The unique lifestyles of a particular group of people is a learned behavior that is communicable. We are able to see two very key concepts of culture. It is communicable, thank goodness. It means you can learn something about it. Because if it were not communicable, we would have nothing to do here today or for the rest of your volunteer service. To learn about the behavior of others is also very meaningful, not only in a social sense, but also in a management sense, because I think it is important for people to understand the influence that environment has on culture, on you and understand that you are not "born" with a culture. You can be born into a culture but you are not born a culture, if I could make that distinction. Another positive aspect of learned behavior says to us that we can also not only broaden our appreciation of other cultures, but also broaden our ability to participate in other cultures, in other cultural milieu. To start our participation in this culture, we need to go back to ourselves and then come forward.
15 Minutes	2. Trainer asks trainees to make a list of their own cultural values. You may have done this before, so it will be easy. You may also notice that you have gotten in touch with values you were unaware of since coming to Puerto Rico.
30 Minutes	3. Trainer now asks participants to form groups of four. 0Share their lists of cultural values and look for similarities and differences in their lists.
15 Minutes	4. Trainer now asks group to share their differences and write them on newsprint. Then asks for ways in which we accept differences in our own culture.
20 Minutes	5. Trainer now asks groups to list as many cultural values of Puerto Rico as they can. Trainer asks that after they have completed this list, they once again check for commonalties and differences.
15 Minutes	6. Trainer now asks the groups to make a list on news print of ideas they may have for accepting these differences.

Trainer's Notes

List is included as a guide.

15 Minutes	7. Trainer now requests that small groups share with large groups their ideas.
	Trainer now leads discussion of how these ideas can be used in the volunteer experience.

List of Ways of Accepting Differences
- Adjust to environment
- Have respect for culture and customs
- Cultural sensitivity
- Patience
- Be outgoing
- Empathy
- Introspection
- Be flexible enough to (tolerate, accept) values different from our own
- Educate ourselves to explain motives for values
- Realize our values are as different to them as theirs to us
- Conformity/compromise
- Understanding that the differences are deep-rooted and cultural
- Ability to modify outward behavior without modifying inward values
- Keep an open mind - culturally and personally
- Good sense of humor (able to laugh at self)