ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo Show Training Seminar Contents

I.       CONCEPT OF THE ZIPOPO/HAPPY HIPPO SHOW

ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo Show is a dramatized talk-show practiced as a long-term program consisting of more than 500 topics covering various life situations, designed to promote a search for positive constructive ethically-based solutions of moral dilemmas through the process of consultation, for all ages and social groups. ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo Show methodology is also aimed at:

·       Helping to strengthen moral principles of an individual in his/her personal and social interactions; to provide means for practical peacemaking and conflict resolution, to encourage development of skills of communication and consultation, to promote ideas of unity of human race on all levels, to encourage and develop creative approaches and personal abilities, including art of drama, to reach these goals.

·       Developing the capacity for channeling diverse ideas through the process of consultation to arrive to a unified view of possible positive solutions to life’s problems;

·       Gaining experience in consultation as a spiritual and intellectual exchange in the atmosphere of respect and mutual understanding

·       Offering to youth the concept of positive behavior as something to be admired, as well as preventing crime through discussion of conditions which may lead to criminal actions, and preventing substance abuse through discussion on its consequences

·       Strengthening unity of the family by establishing family consultation as a regular activity

·       Raising awareness of ethical issues and the individual’s moral responsibility

·      Acquiring the capacity to analyze current assumptions about what is right and wrong

·      Developing courage to think and act independently

II.     AIMS & GOALS OF THE TRAINING SEMINAR

To train the participants to be able to launch their own shows/programs based on the ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo Show methodology.

III.     CONTENTS OF THE TRAINING SEMINAR

Seminar is conducted in the form of theoretical sessions and various practical workshops, including workshops on: Consultation, Investigation of Moral Values, Literary Sources, Theatrical Dramatic Arts, including Scriptwriting, Acting and Directing based on the System of Stanislavsky, contemporary philosophical, psychological and social concepts. Participants are given a task during the Seminar to write a dramatic script, to direct a drama, to play as actors, to create a poster on the selected subject, to compose a song for the Show, to create a mask of the show’s mascot. Among numerous additional skills given during the training there are: the art of a speech, practice of a public talk, walking exercises, elaborating one’s ability of timing, controlling one’s emotions, exercises on understanding the message of the story, etc.

IV.      TOOLS AND ILLUSTRATIVE MATERIALS

Seminar is held in a vivid interactive form, requiring a significant amount of a group work. In order to make its contents more acceptable for the participants, during the Seminar the following tools and illustrative materials are used: videos on the ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo Show, various images, music, and interactive communication games. During the theoretical sessions pictures are made on the flip charts, the former then are attached onto the wall to stay till the end of the Seminar.

V.     LEVELS AND LENGTH OF TRAINING SEMINARS

Basic level: includes all of the abovementioned elements on a basic level. 8 hours including exam.

Advanced level: includes all of the abovementioned elements on an advanced level. 16 hours including exam.

Training for Trainers: provided for those who have already gone through 1st and 2nd levels and have some experience of the fieldwork and certain capacities. 24 hours (usually is done after the Advanced Training).

Specialized level: advanced plus special training for mass media including TV, Radio, and Newspapers. 24 hours (includes practical exercises using audio and video recording).

VI.      NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN A SEMINAR

Up to 50 people in one Seminar. Can be more, in which case the length of the Seminar should be increased in a proportion 4 hours for each 10 extra participants.

VII.      TARGET GROUPS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS

Seminar is recommended for the representatives of different social organizations and NGOs, mass media, educational organizations, kindergartens, correctional facilities, forum theatres etc.

VIII.      SKILLS TRAINED DURING THE SEMINAR

Main skills that are trained practically: dramatic script writing, directing drama, acting on the stage, hosting the discussion, consultation.

Skills that are given theoretically: organizing an amateur theater, creating a long-term program based on the ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo Show methodology.

IX.     EXPECTED RESULTS

As a result of the Training Seminar course the following long-term results are expected including creation of the:

TV, Radio, Newspaper and media programs.

Social Clubs and Centers.

Programs in kindergartens, schools, colleges, universities etc.

Workshops in different forms, including Home Happy Hippo Clubs.

Personal development.

X.     PRINCIPLES INVOLVED

Unity in diversity as one of the major principles of good neighborliness and conflict resolution.

Good and noble essence of each human being as a basic principle of understanding and social development.

Equality of men and women as a foundation of a stability of the society.

Elimination of all kinds of prejudices, such as racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, social, professional, sexual, etc. as the foundation

of stability of the society.

High moral standards are the basis for the prosperity of the human civilization.

Consultation as a high form of modern communication is a tool for establishing understanding, peacemaking and conflict resolution.

XI.     FOLLOW-UP

After the Seminar a following activities initiated by the ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo training course graduates may be taking place:

Performing the ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo shows.

Creation and functioning of the ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo Clubs to share experience, exchange ideas and materials.

Newsletter for all ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo participants.

International and local meetings of the participants.

XII.    VIDEO FILMING OF THE SEMINAR (optional)

During the Seminar video filming may be done to provide each participant with a 3 hours long videotape of the main events of the Seminar.

XIII.    CERTIFICATION

At the completion of the Seminar each participant receives a Certificate of Attendance. In case of a successful completion of the full course which includes writing of a script, participation in drama directing and practical hosting at the examination, the participant receives a Certificate of the Facilitator/Host, which enables him/her to be an independent Facilitator/Host of the ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo Show. Certificates are signed by the Creator of the ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo Show or the Certified Trainer.

XIV.       MATERIALS SUPPLIED FOR THE PARTICIPANTS

Concept of the ZIPoPo/Happy Hippo Show

List of topics

Sample scripts

Outlines of the Seminar contents

List of recommended literature

List of the highest moral principles

Contact addresses

XV.      DEMO SHOW

At the end of the Training Seminar a Demo Show is organized by the local affiliates in order to give to the Participants an experience of a "fieldwork" with the real audience on the topic chosen by the participants and the Facilitator.