Storytelling as a Means for Communication and Change

A provisional index of over 80 folk tales, listed by topic

This was part of a Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) programme: Sustainable Use of Rehabilitated Land for Economic Development in Ethiopia

(Further details to the background of this project)

The two-day workshop (Feb. 2019) focused on developing participants’ communication skills. In preparation, I collected a number of traditional folk tales from around the world relating to environmentally related topics which might be relevant when communicating with stakeholders.

(Of course, many tales fit more than one topic)

The entire Excel worksheet can be downloaded using the download button beneath the window. 

Project background

The Sustainable Land Management Program (SLMP) is one of the Flagship programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the Ethiopian government. Figuring among its critical bilateral development partners, GIZ promotes reforms and processes of change. After 10 years of supporting the implementation of SLMP, GIZ’s approach has now graduated from mere land rehabilitation to the economic development of said areas. GIZ-SURED, the Programme for Sustainable Use of Rehabilitated Land for Economic Development, operational since 2018, hereby faces the major task of communicating innovative ideas among potentially skeptical stakeholders. In an environment where output hinges on successful cooperation, creating a common understanding and vision with the partner is key.​

Go here for tales to watch

Go here for a list of all tales included on this site

Go here to receive an e-mail notification when new tales are added

Permission to tell outlines my views on copyright

For those who are teachers: Telling stories in the classroom: basing language teaching on storytelling