Benefits of a World Simulator Game
19 February 2020
Why Social Empowerment Is More Important Than Ever
In today’s age of information, it's not too difficult to learn about what’s going on in our world. News about events that happen wherever in the world, whether in our city or in cities thousands of miles away from us, find their way into the small screens we hold in our hands as naturally as sunlight washes through an open window. Whether it’s good news or bad news, we are spoilt with information constantly.
The problem is, many of us look away. And we do so for many different reasons, but it all falls under one umbrella statement: when it comes to global issues, we feel there’s not much we can do. We feel as though the positive mood we experience from hearing about good news is fleeting, and we are anxious for bad news that seems to always be on its way. Wars, climate change, widespread corruption, poverty, and more – there's so much to be disappointed about that we often find ourselves backed into a corner of apathy.
It’s important to believe that people genuinely care. But the common experience of being overwhelmed should first be acknowledged so it can be addressed. In a time where apathy is creeping up into our communities, how can we bring out (or bring back) social empowerment?
The first step is to remind each other of the why’s. Why do we need to be empowered as a society? Here are a few reasons why social empowerment is more important than ever:
Because we need to make decisions
The world today needs citizen action. The most powerful thing a citizen can do is make a decision. Decisions can be expressed in many ways. It can be reflected on a ballot. It can be explained in length on social media or in conversations over dinner. It can even be carried out in simple daily activities, such as choosing to walk instead of use a vehicle as a pro-environment move.
No matter how these decisions are expressed, it’s important that citizens are capable of making sound decisions, because these can influence policy. This capacity is sourced only from empowerment, from an awareness of social problems and a motivation to contribute to the solution.
A helpful reminder: social empowerment does not have to look grand to be meaningful. World problems seem so big, and in turn, they make us feel small. But our small act of goodness can go a long way, especially when many of us do it together!
Because we need to learn to work together
At this point in our history, we need to start thinking about similarities. There are patterns everywhere, if one looks closely. How governments fall into corruption, how countrysides are exploited and degraded for profit, how poverty spreads and worsens – it's highly likely that communities suffer the same problems even when they are from different lands.
In the grander scheme of things, the most optimal solution is for the citizens in these countries to be socially empowered enough to help each other up and out of these undesirable situations. But while that’s a long shot, the best way for individuals to practise cooperation is to start in their own communities. Finding common ground and learning to collaborate at school, work, in the neighborhood, or in their local organisations can instill in them the good habit of giving help or welcoming help. This is already a huge step forward! Starting in one’s most intimate circles is the best place to do good.
Because our potential as changemakers is just waiting to be tapped
One thing we need to remember about social empowerment is that it is not had; we are not born with it, nor is it given to us. It is something we work towards; we plant its seeds and take care of it until it blooms. We have to practise it every day until it becomes far from unnoticeable in our communities.
Our potential for empowerment is just waiting to be explored. One awesome way to bring it out is through creating group learning environments that become a training ground for future changemakers.
Such is the purpose of We R One World, a one-day live action role play simulation that allows participants to act as world leaders working together to solve a global problem. This experience lets participants immerse themselves into solution-making processes for problems that plague the world today, with values such as diversity and teamwork at the heart of it all.
Since it’s a simulation, the world simulator game brings participants as close to the action as possible. The World Game arena is a physical space where they can rehearse methods of changemaking. This game promises nothing but a sense of hope for our global community: that if change is possible on the arena, it’s possible in the real world too.
Learn more about empowerment and changemaking with We R One World
If you believe that your students, staff, or organisation members will benefit from the magic that a world simulator game brings, give We R One World a call now to schedule your appointment. Reach us through the following channels:
Phone: +61 414 303 511Email:
- avril@weroneworld.com.au
- ron@weroneworld.com.au
- werone@weroneworld.com.au
