The previous activity is repeated, but this time the participants focus on differences as opposed to similarities. The topics may be the same as above or they may cover other fields like sports, school subjects, movies, eating habits or attributes of one’s identity as for example religion, origin, culture, gender, etc. The participants discover their differences and what these may represent in society. In each answer the facilitator stops to stress a dimension that is common and unites participants no matter of what differences may exist. For example, commonalities may exist between in the essence and messages of official religions. Though quite different, people of different cultures may share similar lifestyles.

At the end of both phases of the “onion” activity the group can discuss the following questions:

• What similarities/differences surprised us?
• What are the similarities and differences that we noticed?
• How complementary can our differences be?
• Why is it important not to limit with any form of violence (e.g. insults, social exclusion, physical violence) both the expression of individual identity and the free choice of our peers?

 This can include, for example, the language one speaks, gender, physical and other characteristics, but also the choice of activities, clothing, food choices, etc.?