This simulation focuses on the role of the civil society and on the way it can reform and be reformed as a basic part of a contemporary society. The scenario takes place on the fictional Mediterranean island named Transolvia. Recently local politics have been heavily influenced by two developments. First the EU has established a trust to support democracy and stability in Transolvia, second since some months a grassroot movement called BASTA, that is organizing public protests and are quite well received by the population of Transolvia. So should the actors cooperate with BASTA and endanger their bargaining position towards the government?
Scenario & Procedure
The EU has also established a Trust for democracy and stability in the country of Transolvia. The participants step into the roles of different civil society actors. Their task is to find a way for cooperating and through this to help and contribute to the goal that the trust has set; both democracy and stability. Through discussing and goal setting the actors must conclude to a common ground and at the end agree on an interests’ strategy that can be really beneficial for the country. By the evaluation procedure the progress of cooperating is estimated, as well as the decisions made. The effects on society created through this method and practice are being observed and thoroughly discussed.
Objectives
The overall goal is to learn about the diversity among civil society actors and although they have similar general goals, they also are competing for limited funds. How to identify common goals and to build coalitions beyond organizational differences.
Learning Goals
- Insight in the conflictive interests that appear through various civil society members.
- Experience the issue of combining conflicting interests and fighting against division inside civil society.
- Insight into the process of forming coalitions and how can this be achieved.
