Swapping Process
What's Unique About the Swapping Stories Process?
Swapping Stories promotes empathy and understanding between partners.
In most intergenerational and intercultural partnerships, one partner informs or performs to the other. By using a level playing field of mutual artful storytelling and by becoming someone else to tell their stories, participants develop links that transcend age, gender and heritage. Partners become "silent empathetic listeners" who ask clarifying questions and then validate their partner's story by retelling it as if it happened to them.
One Swapping Stories '01 senior remarked, "Even though there's 75 years difference in age, we had very similar experiences." Like other partners, he rooted himself in their similarities, their humanity, not their differences.
- What Elements are the Main Factors for A Successful Swapping Stories Program?
- Although partners create project Goals and continually assess progress on these goals, the quality of the participants' experience is considered more important then any end product.
- Same group workshops (i.e. seniors with seniors) promote improved speaking, listening and story telling:
- Groups are introduced in advance through photos and positive facts
- Group preparation and practice in separate workshops guarantees educational and project success.
- Partners participate as equals; they meet and exchange instead of performing for or informing the "other."
- Stories are exchanged in one joint session. Storytellers are led through the process and logistical and supervision problems are avoided.
- Optional video or audiotaping and an optional Premiere can preserve the oral histories of communities and provide community celebration opportunities.
