Virtual Worlds Forum

The game aims to promote the sustainable use of water in the Ebro River in Spain, with players having to balance the needs of cities, villages, farms, vegetation and wildlife. The game involves finding solutions for various problems in the local ecosystem, while comparing your strategies against those of other players - this is the learning aspect of the game. Researcher G�ran Ewald explains more: "We often lack methods for reaching agreement about a solution that everyone can accept. And this is where the game comes in... If we put both (water and democracy) in the context of sustainable development, water is the basis for everything and democracy is the basis for what people will accept with a view to local authorities� decisions." So far, the game has been tested by a group of students, but further trials are due in February next year. The researchers hope the game can then be made available to consumers via the Internet, to raise awareness further. MATISSE website