I am currently not working however keen to share innovative ideas. Participatory theatre creates an interactive but equally safe space for participants, in this case for young people, to become actively engaged and be driven to be challenged and engage in behavioral change from a very experiential perspective.

Problem

Young people today are growing up in a highly digital world. As much as technology has provided many benefits including new tools and platforms to utilize for social change and social movement, equally young people today are growing more emotionally detached. Cohort studies have shown that young people have a decreased sense of empathy as a vast majority of their significant human interaction is through chats and text messaging where no face to face interaction takes place. There is a need for youth development in the area of empathy and develop well-rounded leaders of tomorrow's world.

Solution

This process is innovative because it is engaging and empowering, leads to behavior change without the risk of complete vulnerability and can be tailored to meet the needs of the group(s). It can be creatively presented online by using technology effectively.

Exemple

Participatory theater will be the avenue where young people will safely engage and [participate to find solutions to problems and through this process develop empathy. This will take place as the process is non threatening so the young person can allow him/herself to be vulnerable without being fragile and exposed.