General Information
| Topic |
Group Size |
Time
|
| Climate Change Summit Simulation
|
8 groups of participants (exact number may vary based on total attendees)
|
3 - 4 hours
|
Activity Overview
| Overview:
|
A simulation activity that enables participants to understand various stakeholder perspectives in the climate change discourse. The activity promotes empathy, insights into different viewpoints, and emphasizes the importance of collaboration for sustainable solutions.
|
| Themes:
|
Climate Change
Empathy
Collaboration
Negotiation
Stakeholder Engagement
|
| Objectives:
|
1. Enhance understanding of diverse perspectives in the climate change debate.
2. Promote collaborative problem-solving skills.
3. Understand the role of media in influencing public perception and climate change discussions.
4. Reflect on the challenges and complexities in addressing global climate change issues.
|
| Materials:
|
Detailed role briefs for each stakeholder group.
Multimedia tools and equipment for presentations.
Internet access for research purposes.
Writing supplies (notebooks, pens, etc.) for note-taking and drafting.
|
| Preparation:
|
Preparing detailed role briefs for each of the 8 stakeholder groups.
Setting up multimedia equipment and ensuring all tech works smoothly.
Arranging the space to facilitate group discussions, presentations, and negotiations.
|
Target Group
People aged 14 years and above with an interest in climate change, environmental advocacy, and global collaboration.
Instructions
1. Divide participants into eight distinct groups, each representing a specific stakeholder identity:
Activists
Scientists and researchers
Policymakers and governments
Indigenous and local communities
Business leaders and corporations
Media and journalists
Fossil fuel industry representatives and lobbyists
Skeptics and Deniers of climate change
2. Distribute prepared role briefs to each group. These briefs should outline:
The specific viewpoint of the stakeholder on climate change.
The general public's perception of this stakeholder.
3. Allow 20-30 minutes for groups to discuss their roles and familiarize themselves with their stakeholder perspectives.
4. Give participants 45 minutes to:
Delve deeper into understanding their assigned roles.
Formulate their primary arguments or talking points.
Develop a strategy for the upcoming summit discussion.
5. Open the summit with a short discourse on the importance of taking measures and reaching an agreement to reduce climate change. Outline the subsequent steps and flow of the activity, ensuring participants are aware of what to expect and how to engage effectively.
6. Each group gets a presentation slot of 5 minutes. During this time, they should:
Present their stakeholder's stance on climate change.
Discuss their primary concerns related to the issue.
Propose any solutions or actions they believe are necessary.
Offer the reasoning behind their proposals.
7. After everyone finishes their presentation, begin a 1-hour negotiation and discussion session. The objective for each group is to identify areas of common agreement with other groups and to work collaboratively toward drafting a unified statement or action plan addressing climate change.
8. Every 20 minutes during the discussion, allow the 'Media and journalists' group to interact. They should present a 3-minute "news report" summarizing and commenting on the summit's ongoing discussions. This step aims to simulate the real-world influence and role of media in shaping public opinion and narrative.
9. Once the discussion period ends, gather all groups and drive a conclusion. The Media and Journalists team should take the lead in presenting a summary of the summit's discussions, highlighting key points, agreements, disagreements, and notable moments from each stakeholder.
If the groups have managed to draft a unified action plan, it should be presented to all participants.
If a consensus hasn't been reached, take time to reflect on the challenges encountered during the discussions. Draw parallels with the real-world complexities of addressing climate change.
Debriefing and Evaluation
1. Debriefing Questions:
What were the main challenges your group faced in understanding and advocating for your stakeholder's viewpoint?
Which stakeholder group surprised you the most, and why?
How did the media interjections influence the dynamics of the discussions?
Were there moments of significant agreement or disagreement between groups? If so, how were they resolved or addressed?
How did this activity enhance your understanding of the complexities involved in climate change discussions and negotiations?
In what ways did collaboration play a role in reaching (or not reaching) a consensus?
How did the simulated environment compare to your perceptions of real-world climate summits and discussions?
2. Evaluation Questions:
On a scale of 1-10, how effective do you feel this simulation was in representing the challenges of climate change negotiations?
What was the most valuable lesson or insight you gained from this activity?
Which competencies do you feel you developed through this experience, and why?
Were there any aspects of the simulation that you felt were missing or could be improved upon?
Was the time allocated for each segment of the activity adequate, too short, or too long?
How did the facilitator's role impact the flow and outcome of the activity?
Would you recommend any changes or additions to make this simulation more impactful or realistic?
How likely are you to participate in a similar simulation in the future or recommend it to a peer?
Tips for facilitators
Keep Time: Stick to the schedule. It ensures the smooth flow of the entire activity.
Listen Well: Pay attention to what everyone is saying. Being an attentive listener will help you guide discussions and address concerns more effectively.
Promote Inclusion: Make sure everyone gets a chance to speak, especially those who might be quieter.
Remain Neutral: Your role is to guide, not to influence. Facilitate discussions without adding your personal views.
Be Prepared: Familiarize yourself with the materials and stay updated on the latest climate change developments. This will make the session more effective.
Manage Disagreements: Conflicts can happen. Be ready to step in and keep the conversation productive.
Lead Reflection: At the end, help everyone think about what they've learned.
Give Feedback: Share helpful insights to help participants understand their strengths and areas to work on.
Set Respectful Ground Rules: Start by setting rules that encourage respect and open discussion.
Variations
Instead of a negotiation format, transform the summit into a panel discussion. In this setup, each group presents their perspective and subsequently takes questions from the audience. This encourages deeper exploration of each stakeholder's viewpoint and promotes active audience engagement.
Extend the activity over multiple days, allowing participants more time for in-depth research, prolonged negotiations, and detailed presentations. This format can also incorporate guest speakers, experts in the field, or additional interactive sessions, enhancing the learning experience.
Replace the stakeholder roles with countries or geographical areas so the activity can take on a more geopolitically focused approach. Examples of roles: Major Industrial Nations, Emerging Economies, Small Island States, African Nations, European Union, Latin American Countries, Polar Regions, Middle Eastern Nations.
Handouts
Handout1
Download Stakeholders Role Cards EcoDiplomacy Challenge.pdf
Copyright Information
This activity was developed during the "Eco-Youth Empowerment Through Education and Action" Training Course, coordinated by ARYAS NGO together with its partners: Asociatia Euroactive NGO - Romania, EUROACTIVE BULGARIA, Euroactive NGO Alapítvány - Hungary, Amazing Youth - Greece, ORIEL APS - Italy, Instytut Rozdzienskiego - Poland, Kasif Genclik ve Spor Kulubu Denergi - Turkey, and Yaygin Egitim ve Genclik Calismalari Dernegi - Turkey. This initiative was co-financed by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ program.
Everyone is free to use and adapt this resource for educational and non-commercial purposes. However, its commercial use or reproduction for profit is strictly prohibited.
