Final version of Proactive Ecoland game.
I had the opportunity to participate in two Ecoland sessions, first during the European Youth Exchange Moving For Mental Health in Sibenik, then during the ProActive Ecoland Training Course in Virrat, Finland. These two experiences were distinct in several respects. In Sibenik, the game was still in the experimental testing phase, which means we used prototype hardware. On the other hand, in Finland, the game was finalized, and we were therefore able to experience the final material, which was more colorful and more fun. Indeed, the gaming experience was immediately more immersive and captivating. Furthermore, the groups of participants were different: the first included young Europeans, mainly students, while the second consisted of older workers.
In each session, there were between 20 and 30 participants, divided into subgroups representing various actors in society such as citizens, politicians, media, public services, the private sector and NGOs. I personally joined citizen and NGO groups. Each group was initially given a description of their role in society as well as a list of their environmental responsibilities and resources, which made it easier to embody our assigned role. We were faced with solving various concrete problems such as microplastic pollution in the oceans, the lack of green spaces in urban areas or the harmful impacts of the fast fashion industry.
It was very interesting to understand the responsibilities of each group in these environmental challenges. This experience helps to better understand the reality of climate change and to understand what we can expect from the different actors in society in terms of demand for change. The game itself is captivating as it sparks debate between the different groups, but the goal is to win together. It is a great way to develop communication skills, as other groups are not aware of our resources to solve the given problem. Additionally, given that there is a limit to the number of resources one can use, it’s interesting to note that we must simultaneously develop an individual strategy to defend the interests of our group, while considering an overall strategy for the common good, because we will all win or lose together. This dynamic reflects the complexity of reality.
In addition, I think that it’s an excellent way to understand how to become more involved in the ecological transition. By identifying with a group based on our actual position in society, we can assess our responsibilities and consider how we can contribute to change. For teenagers, this can be particularly instructive in determining which sector they wish to pursue in their future life and what possibilities for action are available to them in these different areas.
Juliette Dutemple, ESC volunteer
*the “ProActive EcoLand” project is financed by the Erasmus Plus strategic partnership program in which our association Argonauta is a partner.
