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TOR058: Spreading More Than One Story With Seth Sellek

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Seth Selleck is the Youth Coordinator of the Municipality of Simrishamn in Sweden. He has led the development of various projects focused on intercultural understanding, including an international youth magazine, Cultural Horizons, which was published in the 1990’s. After hearing the Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, lecture about “The Danger of a Single Story” he searched for a way to better encourage intercultural communication. Knowing young people are natural solution finders, he worked with them to develop the rapidly growing card game “More Than One Story.” You can connect with Seth here: http://www.simrishamn.se/mtos

IN TOR 058 YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

  • Simrishamn, Sweden, and the town’s public initiatives towards the youth.
  • The global phenomenon that is More Than One Story, its origins, it’s buildup to local, national and worldwide audiences.
  • What Seth has learned from simple ideas.
  • Seth and MTOS’s future, his views on youth, development and cultural understanding.

OUR CONVERSATION INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

Organizations

Topics

  • Youth
  • Play
  • Cultural diversity
  • Ideas

Places

  • Simrishamn, Sweden
  • Bosnia
  • Nigeria
  • Palestine
  • Israel

EPISODE CRIB NOTES

Simrishamn youth Culture, democracy, diversity appreciation. MTOS is used throughout the country. The game Sweden is a cultural intensive place. People need help to adapt to diversity. “I’ve always felt the need to bring the children together.“ It is based in questions. He tested with teens, found good questions. Questions are meant to evoke experiences and old memories. Questions: “What is a moment that you always remember? What about a time that made you nervous? Something that made you happy? What is something that hurt?“ Questions are open, they vary in how personal they are. After an hour people end up opening up, get to know the other players as well. Funds flow The card game was developed in parallel with the world. Development was not costly, it did not require more funds that what the town itself provided. The game retails for EUR 1. Costs less in the U.S. and outside. Sensitive questions needed to be stripped out for possible concerns from donors. Growth has been rapid. Partners keep most of the funding, but they invest a lot in promotion and upcoming issues like translation. The town keeps 20% of the retail price. It is printed in Sweden and shipped, except to places like Australia, Africa and America where it’s costlier than printing locally. Introduction Slowly gained traction locally and abroad. Simrishamn’s population is 19,000, they found the game fascinating, it was used in coaching, schools, nursing homes and for language teaching. People gave it to each other as gifts, sold thousands in local libraries. “It’s a town project. People in town feel proud about its success and impact.“ It expanded throughout Swedish towns, then to other countries. “Ambassadors” have used it and spread it. The card game tells the origin, but it has taken a life of its own. Youth at play Young people from around the world have provided feedback. Nigerian refugee in Sweden found the game very useful for people to warm up to him. “It opens doors. It is affecting life.“ Growing Many  languages, UN is getting involved. Personally, “it is a wonderful sense of fulfillment.” It is happening, it is making a difference. It’s played in both sides: Bosnia, Israel and Palestine. The card game has found new uses and variations: a musical. It is inspiring people. There are apps, many unofficial versions. Seth is happy that they exist, they don’t compete with the physical card game. “We’re focusing only on this game now, providing support to the world.“ Advice Really find your passion. Take your ideas seriously. Write them down, show them to people. They can fail, that is not the point. Get feedback early and often.

Please share, participate and leave feedback below!

If you have any feedback you’d like to share for me or Seth, please leave your thoughts in the comment section below! I read all of them and will definitely take part in the conversation. If you have any questions you’d like to ask me directly, head on over to the Ask Stephen section. Don’t be shy! Every question is important and I answer every single one. And, if you truly enjoyed this episode and want to make sure others know about it, please share it now:
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