Implementation
TerriStories, a common resource rather a free access one
Over thirty years of using participatory tools has clearly shown that whatever the tool quality, the key is the way is used. Many of tools have thus been used in a different way they have been designed, sometimes even in a contrary one.
TerriStories has been designed so that facilitators have little control over the participatory dimension of the game session (participants‘ engagement being free from the few rules game and not really require facilitation), however can avoid this risk.
Consequently, given that preserving this freedom of expression and involvement is the priority concern of TerriStories, a system of operating licences has been set, which allows using TerriStories only with a person who masters our specific participatory posture (supported by some means of sharing and disseminating this posture: see below Transferring through learning-by-doing).
More fundamentally, this system of licences also pursues to preserve the radical purpose of social change of TerriStories, by reserving its mastering to those who share its social issue. By this way, we hope that the pool of licence holders growes but remains a stakeholders network for social changes.
Many forms and frames have been experienced in order to preserve participatory posture while using participatory tools. We hope this one will work and we are seeking continuously to improve it.
Transferring through learning-by-doing
TerriStories is, beyond a game, is a tool for collective reflection and action, which leads participants to imagine together any possible idea of rule, of organization, of individual or collective action …and then let them experience and assess their ideas by simulating (playing) them. For each new use, using TerriStories doesn‘t mean to implement a game but to re-invent a game… and not only for each new use but at any moment of every game session.
Consequently, implementing TerriStories requires a suitable learning process. A specific learning-by-doing by facilitating) program has been tailored then proofed in order to quickly (few weeks) develop the required skills for an operation implentation (combining several board games, large number of participants, long-term and internal impacts…). This learning-by-doing program requires a field context in which three TerriStories workshops can be set in an actual situation (most often the trainees‘ actual situation).
A pool of French and English-spoken trainers from various parts of the world (France, Haiti, Burma, Vietnam, Laos, Senegal…), some of them being former players, is progressively growing as new trainers are emerging from new implementations participants. They form a community of practitioners who shares the same values of participation, collective action, and social changes.