K1 — Equality and safety agreement
- Confidentiality
- Voluntary participation
- Right to pause
- Speak for yourself
- Kindness
- Inclusive language
- Safe word “pause”.
Space for the group’s notes:
BNB4UR package • workshop scenario (180’)
Note/safety: this is an educational workshop, not legal advice. If a situation arises that violates dignity/safety, stop the exercise and follow the support pathway (K8). We work with anonymous examples.
Goal: develop intercultural communication skills; recognise biases/stereotypes/microaggressions; respond using I‑message/DESC and bystander intervention (5D); learn support/reporting pathways; and create rules for inclusive meetings.
Logic: equality agreement → shared vocabulary → communication styles → microaggressions and responses → 5D bystander intervention → support pathways and a 72‑hour plan.
Knowledge: distinguishes stereotype–prejudice–discrimination–microaggression; understands intent vs impact; and understands the communication-style continuum (low/high context, direct/indirect).
curiosity, respect, the right to pause and not disclose personal data, and responsibility for the group climate.
Goal: safety and shared ground rules.
Instructions: present the goals and outputs; co-create the K1 agreement with the group (suggestions: confidentiality; voluntary participation; right to pause; “speak for yourself”; default kindness; inclusive language; safe word: “pause”). Hang K1 on the wall.
Goal: notice similarities beyond differences.
Instructions: in pairs, find 3 things you have in common that are not related to origin (e.g., hobbies, music, career goal). Write them on sticky notes and place them on the flipchart titled “This connects us”.
Goal: a shared vocabulary and distinctions.
Materials: K2 (definitions + examples), a slide with “intent ≠ impact”.
Instructions: brief introduction (10’) + mini-quiz (5 questions — raise cards: S/P/D/M).
Exercise (15’): in 4 groups, analyse 2 examples each (K2) and complete the table: what happened? → what was the impact? → what could be a response? (I‑message/DESC or 5D). Collect conclusions on the flipchart.
Goal: “translate intentions” between styles and avoid conflicts.
Materials: K3 (style axis + examples).
Instructions:
Mini-lecture (8’): explain the direct ↔ indirect axis, low ↔ high context, and differences in time/punctuality, gestures, and email style.
Exercise “Translate the intent” (20’): tables receive 6 situations (e.g., very direct feedback, an indirect refusal, a one-sentence email, a 10‑minute delay). Task: write two versions of the message — a direct one and a more indirect/softened one; match the intent.
Debrief (7’): what helps? (paraphrasing, asking about intent, summarising agreements in writing).
Success criteria: each group creates at least 4 “translations”.
Goal: respond safely as the person affected and as a witness.
Materials: K4 (I‑message + DESC — cheat sheet), K6 (role‑play).
Instructions:
I-message model (4 elements): when I hear/see… → I feel… → because… → I ask for…
DESC model: Describe (facts) – Express (impact) – Specify (request) – Consequences (benefit/consequence).
Role-play 2× (12’ each): in groups of three, choose 2 cases from K6 (e.g., a comment about an accent; “it’s just a joke”; being excluded from emails; “we speak Polish” without explanation). Round 1: an I‑message response; Round 2: DESC. Person C uses the KD‑R rubric (0–2 points per criterion).
Success criteria: 2 concrete written messages are produced for each case.
Goal: respond well as a bystander at different risk levels.
Materials: K5 (Direct/Delegate/Distract/Delay/Document), K6 (cases).
Instructions:
Mini-lecture (5’): explain 5D and safety principles (prioritise the person’s safety; do not escalate risk).
Rotation (20’): in groups of five — for 3 cases from K6, design at least 2 of the 5Ds (e.g., Direct: “Stop, that’s not OK.”; Distract: change the topic; Delegate: get support from a manager/HR; Delay: talk after the situation; Document: factual notes).
Wrap-up (5’): which D is easiest/hardest for me; when we do not document (when it threatens privacy).
Success criteria: each person practises at least 2 different Ds.
Goal: know “what next” when a situation repeats/escalates.
Materials: K8 (pathway map), K7 (meeting checklist).
Instructions:
Internal: manager/HR, year tutor/student office, student/employee ombuds, anti-mobbing/anti-discrimination procedures.
External: support organisations, inspections/offices (depending on local competences).
Meeting rules (K7): refine an 8‑point list for your team/project group (language, speaking order, “no interrupting”, written summaries, rotating facilitators).
Outcome: a ready K7 for your group + a completed K8 (contacts).
Goal: closure and implementation.
Instructions: POST (3 questions). On K8, add 1 step for the next 72 hours (e.g., “I’ll agree meeting rules with my team”, “I’ll practise a DESC message in writing”).
You can print the sheets below separately — each Print opens a separate print view with the logo and funding information.
Axis: directness ↔ indirectness; low ↔ high context; examples of emails/meetings; “translate the intent” (two versions of the message).
Template: I‑message: when… I feel… because… I ask for…
Template: DESC: Describe – Express – Specify – Consequences.
Case A. Accent and laughter during a meeting
Case B. "Speak Polish" without explanation and support
Case C. Exclusion from emails/meetings “because they won’t understand anyway”
Case D. "It’s just a joke" about a stereotype
Case E. Judging competence based on country of origin
Case F. Schedule change without consultation “because you have fewer family obligations”
Case G. Comment on clothing/cultural appearance
Case H. Sitting in silence during class — the facilitator interprets it as “lack of interest”
Scale: 0–2 points per criterion (max 10). Tick and add notes.
| Criterion | 0 | 1 | 2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recognising the phenomenon | □ | □ | □ | |
| Quality of I‑message/DESC | □ | □ | □ | |
| Appropriateness of 5D | □ | □ | □ | |
| Meeting rules | □ | □ | □ | |
| Support pathways | □ | □ | □ |
Interpretation: 0–3 beginner; 4–7 solid; 8–10 ready to implement.