Action cards
The action cards are a way to make the game more interesting and, at the same time, to change it slightly. For example, they can influence the speaking times of the different groups or enable actions that are otherwise not possible.
In the following, the speaking times of the different groups are listed.
The unequal distribution of speaking times and participation opportunities among the different groups of actors is intended to illustrate power imbalances that also occur in real-life conflicts.
Speaking time (approx. 35 min)
Ministry of the Environment:
6 minutes
Ministry of Economics:
5 minutes
Economy and Industry:
4 minutes
Tourism Group:
4 minutes
NGO OceanShelter:
4 minutes
Indigenous group:
3 minutes
Boat builders*:
3 minutes
Villagers*:
3 minutes
In addition to the speaking time, each group has the opportunity for a meeting with the Prime Minister in the intermediate phase to lobby and influence the final decision. This excludes the groups of the Indigenous Group, the Boat Builders and the Villagers. These groups are basically denied the possibility of a meeting, but there are two ways in which a meeting can take place. First, the meeting can be arranged through an action card. Secondly, the three groups mentioned can be invited by another group. This excludes the three groups mentioned.
Event cards
Card distribution
Variant 1: At the beginning of each group meeting, the moderator draws an event card, which is then active during the next plenary session.
Variation 2: The moderator decides whether or not a card is drawn and played at a plenary session.
- a storm has destroyed many boats. Boat builders and fishermen are in a difficult situation. +1 minute for boat builders and local people.
- New raw material deposits have been discovered off the coast. This makes a potential port expansion more profitable. +1 minute for Ministry of Economy and Industry
- a new species has been discovered within the mangrove forests. This brings more focus to the concerns of environmentalists and NGOs. +1 for Ministry of Environment and NGOs
- problems during negotiations with the larger neighboring city over port use hinder local industry’s plans. -1 minute for industry
- debates about NGOs having too much influence put NGOs in a negative light. -1 minute for NGO
- lack of interest in the site as a tourist destination hinders tourism industry plans. -1 minute for tourism group
- debates about the port’s economic viability after port deepening hinder industry plans. -1 minute for Ministry of Economy and Industry.
- reduced funding for the Ministry of Environment limits its influence and room for maneuver. -1 minute for Ministry of Environment and NGO
- the indigenous group is pressured / bribed by the tourism industry. -1 minute for the indigenous group
Group cards
Variant 1: At the beginning of each group session, one card is drawn from a deck, which may or may not be played.
Variant 2: At the beginning of the simulation all cards are visible and cards can be drawn up to a quantity corresponding to the number of group sessions.
General group cards:
- Meeting with the Prime Minister/Minister.
- No meeting with the prime minister/minister possible.
Ministry of Environment:
- A scientific paper is published:
Environmental functions better recorded. +1 minute for Ministry of Environment.
- state funding:
Government recognizes the importance of the environment.
+1 minute for Ministry of Environment, -1 minute for Ministry of Economy.
- expert advice: two more action cards can be drawn.
- power gain: The relevance of the situation gives the Ministry of Environment unimagined power. Interrupt a meeting with the Prime Minister(s) from a group of their choice.
Ministry of Economy:
- successful education campaign:
They have stronger weight in the discussion group.
+1 minute for Ministry of Economy
- smear campaign:
Negative publicity.
-1 minute for NGO and Ministry of Environment
- Demonstration of Power: Pick up the effects of one card.
- Expert advice: two more action cards can be drawn.
Tourism Group:
- investors stand up:
They have stronger weight in the discussion group.
+1 minute for tourism group.
- look at the statistics:
The number of tourists per year is increasing. +1 minute for tourism group.
- your lobbying is paying off: Ministry of Economy supports tourism group’s agenda.
NGO OceanShelter:
- successful awareness campaign:
They have stronger weight in the panel.
+1 minute for NGO
- approval of the global community:
Stronger weight in the discussion round.
+1 minute for NGO, -1 minute for villagers.
- NGO receives a large amount of donations:
Pressure to national park.
-1 minute for ministry of economy.
Villagers:
- referendum:
Approval of the people. They have stronger weight in the panel.
+2 minute for villagers.
- opinion poll:
+1 minute for villagers.
- civil unrest: Obstruct a group of their choice.
-1 minute for a group of their choice.
Indigenous group:
- release of a documentary:
A documentary on the displacement and exploitation of indigenous peoples is published.
-1 minute for Ministry of Economy.
- exposure of environmental destruction:
Environmental destruction by large corporations is exposed, giving indigenous groups more media attention.
+1 minute for indigenous group or -1 minute for tourism corporation.
- Popular approval:
Support for indigenous people gets popular approval. The Ministry of Economy makes a meeting with the Prime Minister possible.
Boat builders:
- strike of boat builders:
Boat builders go on strike and get media attention. The Ministry of Economy supports the boat builders‘ agenda.
- tourism group support:
The tourism groups use more boat trips for their customers. The tourism groups support the boat builders‘ agenda in order to continue to count on their cooperation.
- media interest makes the boatbuilders valuable political propaganda:
The Prime Minister invites to a personal meeting.