Some stories accompany us throughout our entire lives. Others emerge quickly – on social media, in the media, or in everyday conversations. They are often simplified, yet these very stories shape our opinions, attitudes, and decisions.

In today’s fast-paced world, we encounter such stories more and more often. Prejudices, misinformation, and polarisation are becoming a common part of everyday life, and young people are particularly sensitive to these influences.

A Space for Understanding

Stories have an exceptional power. They do not provide ready-made answers; instead, they create space for reflection. They teach us to listen, ask questions, and see the world from different perspectives. They help us slow down, look beneath the surface, and discover that behind every opinion there is an experience, an emotion, and a human story.

Stories Under the Magnifying Glass show how stories work and how they influence us. They focus on developing empathy, openness, and critical thinking – essential skills for life in today’s society.

Dialogue and Growth

An important part of this work is supporting people who accompany young people in their growth and in the process of forming their own opinions. They have the opportunity to open discussions on topics that are not simply black and white and to encourage the ability to think about issues in a broader context.

Stories are not a tool for persuasion. They are an invitation – an invitation to look closer, notice subtle differences, and discover that behind every opinion there is an experience, an emotion, and a human story.

Who Is the Project For?

• For youth workers who want to enrich their practice with innovative methods.
• For young people (13+) and older youth (16+) who want to better understand the world around them and learn how to analyse information and different perspectives.

How We Work

We work interactively and through experience-based learning. Participants do not only hear about topics – they experience them. Through their own experiences, emotions, and reflection, they learn to perceive stories more deeply and consciously.

We create a safe space for dialogue, questions, and discovering different perspectives. We support contextual thinking, expressing personal attitudes, and becoming aware of what influences the way we see the world.

Stories are not a tool for persuasion. They are an invitation to pause, listen carefully, and look beneath the surface.

Methodological Materials: Stories Under the Magnifying Glass

Download the methodological materials, discover the power of storytelling, and learn how to use it as a tool for building an open and tolerant society. Our methodological materials are designed for educators, youth workers, librarians, and lecturers who want to develop young people’s awareness and critical perspective on the world.

Methodology Handbook This guide is your essential companion to the world of storytelling in non-formal education. It introduces: Why stories work: The basics of the neurobiology of stories and their influence on building empathy. How to facilitate sensitive topics: Ethical aspects of working with stories and techniques for creating a safe space. The three-phase model of working with stories: From emotional engagement through critical analysis to transferring insights into real life. Available in Slovak language HERE.

Inspirational Activities This practical guide contains 14 specific and tested activities that you can immediately use in your practice. The collection includes: Working with emotions: Techniques such as "Statues of Feelings" or "An Emotional Story in Gibberish". Breaking down prejudices: Mapping differences and stepping into the shoes of characters. Media literacy education: Detective-style games for distinguishing facts, opinions, and manipulative online clickbait. Worksheets: Ready-to-use materials prepared for printing and distribution to participants. Available in Slovak language HERE.

Analysis of Stories Analysis of stories provides detailed examples of how specific stories can be used to open discussions about challenging social topics. It includes: Analysing of bullying through The Ugly Duckling: How to use a well-known fairy tale to understand the feelings of a victim and the mechanisms of exclusion. Toxic relationships and power through Goldilocks: An analysis of characters (the king, Jiřík) as reflections of themes such as narcissism, responsibility, and the abuse of power in today’s world. Real stories: Links to the Online living library featuring testimonies of real people who have experienced bullying or extremism. Available in Slovak language HERE.

What You Will Gain by Taking the Course

• Practical storytelling skills: working with voice, emotions, facial expressions, and gestures.
• The ability to analyse stories from the perspective of stereotypes and prejudices.
• Tools for developing critical thinking, tolerance, and inclusion.
• The ability to adapt stories for different age groups of young people.
• Immediate use in practice and access to methodological materials even after completing the course.

Expected Benefits

• Youth workers will gain new skills and confidence in using stories to support inclusion.
• Young people will develop empathy, tolerance, and the ability to critically analyse information.

The "Stories Under the Magnifying Glass" project is implemented in international cooperation with EDUMA from Slovakia and the National Leprechaun Museum from Ireland.

 

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority (NIVAM). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority (NIVAM) can be held responsible for them.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via Contact form.