Role-Play on SDGs in ASEAN: Negotiating Initiatives on Social Protection

The SDG 10 calls for reduced inequalities among its members, and one of the important topics in achieving it is through social protection. The provision of healthcare, the protection of workers, such as maternity leave and the protection from unemployment are among the key issues. Although strong economic growth in ASEAN over the past decade has lifted a lot of people out of poverty, many still work in the informal economy, as well as working as temporary migrant in other ASEAN countries. Those working in this field are unfortunately not granted health insurance or unemployment protection by the state.

An interactive method of role play was chosen by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Indonesia Office and the Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Culture to provide a better understanding of the SDGs and the role of regional organizations such as ASEAN in their implementation, particularly on social protection. By focusing on a fictitious region that is modeled on ASEAN the game was designed to expand the understanding on the process in reducing inequalities within the region of Southeast Asia and the complexities in achieving the common standard among the countries or joint regional efforts. A Berlin- based organization, planpolitik, whose expertise is in interactive learning method had designed the simulation game and became the facilitators in Bandung and Jakarta.

As a closing to the week-long program we organized the "Training of Trainers" in Jakarta joined by around 30 participants to learn how to facilitate the simulation game in their own workplace. Reflecting from their own experience the participants of this training learnt what to keep in mind when facilitating the simulation game: how to introduce the game, to how deal with difficult situation, and moderating the debriefing session. The combination of state and non-state actors in this negotiation simulation provides a glimpse into the world of international governance initiatives and the relationships between actors at this level.

Negotiation is an essential part of our lives. The simulation offers an exciting insight into world politics, showing how geo-political interests are intertwined with regional development strategies. After the simulation the participants felt more engaged with the topics of social protection and disaster risk reduction. They also had better understanding why it was so difficult to achieve an agreement. In many ways this will be reflected in their work on regional policies, for future advocacy within ASEAN or in their teachings. Since the game is on fictitious region, it would be easily replicated in other forums and countries. To get more information about the simulation game, contact us at info(at)fes.or.id.