Storytelling for youth education in civil society in Winnipeg

Abstract

There is an increasing trend in youth education and civil society that focuses on global citizenship. The development of the storyteller and story is a highly intuitive practice refined by experience. Literature in education and democracy, elicitive approaches to peacebuilding, and storytelling in education are reviewed. The study is based on three theoretical ideas: (1) that cultural stories encode and transmit knowledge, (2) personal narratives enable the integration of theoretical ideas into their socio-political context, and (3) that storytelling can help students apply their knowledge through positive action. This qualitative study uses grounded theory and a multi-method approach, drawing primarily on twelve semi-structured interviews. The data revealed four key themes that guide storytellers’ learning outcomes: knowledge, culture, dialogue, and agency. Storytellers described storytelling as a powerful pedagogical practice that provides democratic and inclusive spaces capable of facilitating dialogue and promoting student agency.