As explained in Lesson 1 of this guide, peer-to-peer learning focuses on discussions between participants rather than a top-down approach where a teacher lectures or presents to students. This section will provide some tips to help you maintain an environment of peer-to-peer learning by focusing on the participants in your groups.

• Try to Understand Those in Your Group

Human rights is a universal concept and is for every human being.  However, no two people are the same and they may understand things differently than you or others in the group. A person’s interests, talents, backgrounds, religious beliefs, and personal needs are all factors that can greatly influence a person and the way they learn and interact with others. Listen to and observe those in your group to better understand their needs. Ask questions and take time before or after a session to better understand the people in your group. This will assist you in introducing concepts in more effective and personal ways. It may also help you to manage any conflicts that arise during your session.

• Prepare with Your Group in Mind

It can be easy to simply recite or present the materials provided to you in the Faith for Rights framework for each lesson. However, your sessions will be greatly improved by personalized preparation with your group in mind. Consider the needs of those in your group, their backgrounds and personal interests when preparing what and how to introduce the Faith for Rights modules. The participants of your groups and their needs can be your guide as you prepare for each session. For example, if one of your students is a musician, consider how music might play a role in your session even if it is not necessarily stated as a resource in your Faith for Rights modules. Consider analogies that might help your participants understand and stay interested.

• You Do Not Need to Cover Everything

Each module has a number of activities and discussions that you can have with your participants. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of resources that are available when you only have a limited time to hold a session. Remember that you are not required to cover everything in the Faith for Rights toolkit. Consider the backgrounds and interests of the participants in the group and select the Peer to Peer activities that will best align with the unique attributes of the group.  The Faith for Rights toolkit is a flexible framework, and you are not expected to facilitate every discussion and activity.