“Coloured Glasses” is a poignant analogy that embodies the cultural filters through which we perceive and interpret reality, akin to viewing the world through sunglasses of a specific color. These culturally tinted lenses represent our attitudes, beliefs, and values, forming our unique cultural identities. Ingrained through socialization, these identities shape our norms and perceptions of behaviors, actions, and interactions.

In the realm of Youth For Understanding (YFU), “Coloured Glasses” extends beyond a mere analogy. It has evolved to signify a series of transformative workshops to foster cultural comprehension by fortifying self-awareness and addressing stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Developed over two decades through iterative adaptations, this concept promotes peer-to-peer learning and is deeply rooted in grassroots volunteerism and community-building ethos.

The primary objective of these workshops is to inspire individuals to examine their attitudes toward different cultures critically, understand the complexities of prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping, and enhance their cultural competence. The workshop design is inherently flexible, allowing for customization to cater to diverse age groups, time constraints, and the unique needs of participants.

The Coloured Glasses workshops epitomize dynamic non-formal education activities. They engage lively and involve participants in simulations and role-plays that offer insights into intercultural interactions. These activities are followed by group discussions, which provide a platform for participants to express their emotions, discuss challenges encountered during the exercises, and draw connections to the cultural theories introduced by the facilitator.