Honing In - Identifying a local problem
MANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE 'OUT THERE' IN THE WORLD CAN ALSO BE FOUND IN YOUR VERY OWN BACKYARD OR COMMUNITY - YOU JUST HAVE TO LOOK
Now that you have explored some big picture ideas, you need to bring you focus back to a local level as this is where you are likely to have the biggest influence and / or impact. So we are going to hone in to see what issues affect you and the people around you. So to get you started you are going to do 2 things:
- Observe how people / animals interact with their environment. Watching others gives you clues as to what they think and feel— what they need and perhaps what is wrong with their current situation (this could be animals or humans)
- Engage people directly—interact with and interview them. Engaging people tells us about their beliefs and values. For example, Can you interview a shop owner about food wastage or speak to a community support network that helps provide food. You may want to interview with empathy (the file is ready for you to download).
Connecting with others through empathy
Consider how you have empathised with people (or animals) in a particular situation and how you can connect it to your life.
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Then use the Research with Empathy worksheet and complete the worksheet. This asks you to consider how this issue has been solved by other communities and what gap you might fill with your idea (this may be a demographic based on geographical, culture or age)
Make sure you assume a beginners' mindset which means you are are open to all the solutions (even the strange ones)
(see attached link for help about approaching the topic with an open mind.)
(see attached link for help about approaching the topic with an open mind.)