5 Diamond Island
- Suggested duration: 25 mins
- Technique used (e.g. research, simulation, debate): Role play based on the true story of the exploitation of agriculture land on Diamond Island in Cambodia
- Aim of activity: Understand that Sustainable Development Issues, such as the use of land, uphold different views and aspects thus requiring in-depth analysis for decision making, seeking alternative choices, and accounting for the consequences of these choices.
- Underpinning components: UC12.2a; UC12.1b; UC12.2b
- Connection with other competences: Attentiveness; Transdisciplinarity
Short description
A scenario is presented, for describing the problem in Koh Pich a small island in Cambodia, where the Government in 2004 decided to remove from the island the 134 agricultural families aiming to transform the natural island to a free trade centre, attracting multinational companies to invest on it. The discussion of the scenario is based on issues like changing the use of land and the social, economic, ecological consequences of this change; the destruction of professional groups, the uprooting of populations, the disruption of social cohesion. When the issue is discussed in depth, using various sources of information, the group is divided in small groups taking different roles:
- The local population
- The representatives of the Government
- The Investors
- The representatives of the environmental parties
- The representatives of Mass Media
Each group justifies its opinion and uses various resources of information to build their arguments. Role-play is expected to reveal all the different aspects of the issue, their consequences and impacts, aiming to reach a decision that will ensure the sustainability of the island and the population.