The Living Library, developed under auspices of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe, attempts to challenge prejudices by facilitating a converstation between two people: a Book and a Reader. In the context of SMART, the Living Library was recognized as a very useful instrument to learn from/with local activists and to collect testimonies.
Living Library as an instrument to learn from and with local activists
Local people are often more receptive to information from peers. Equally meeting ‘real’ people with varied life experience can help breakdown cultural barriers, inspire others as well as provide critical first hand learning. A great way to achieve this is through the telling of individual stories. This technique of peer learning was one explored by the group as part of a living library event held in Norfolk. Another more developed example of a model using this technique for a specific issue you may be interested in is the Human library project. The Human Library is an innovative method designed to promote dialogue, reduce prejudices and encourage understanding.The main characteristics of the project are to be found in its simplicity and positive approach.
It is a “keep it simple”, “no-nonsense” contribution to social cohesion in multicultural societies.
The Human Library enables groups to break stereotypes by challenging the most common prejudices in a positive and humorous manner. It is a concrete, easily transferable and affordable way of promoting tolerance and understanding. (The Human Library)
Manual Human Library: Human Library pdf
SMART VILLAGES 