Y-PEER Icebreakers Index Cards

These pocket-size, full-colour cards are intended to be used by trainers and peer educators during peer education training sessions. They have been developed by UNFPA within the framework of the Youth Peer Education Electronic Resource (Y-PEER) programme.

Twenty-eight exercises are detailed. Each card provides a stated objective, time frame, indication of whom the exercise is suitable for, materials needed, process, and "closure". Many focus on initiating a process of communication - "breaking the ice" - within a peer group. To cite only one example, the card for Exercise 13 "Language of Sex" suggests dividing trainers into small groups of 3 to explore their own hesitation about using certain sexual terminology - and to brainstorm together to find synonyms suitable within their own communities. The 25-minute session is meant to end with the leader providing closure by pointing out that it is important to talk to adolescents in their own language, to be able to speak words that clearly refer to sex and sexuality when communicating with health care providers, and to understand that some disrespectful words can be harmful.

Click here to download the cards in PDF format.