Name of the tool

IF THE WORLD WERE A VILLAGE  

Links to the keystones
knowledge

Aim of tool/ Brief overall description

The group receives a fill in form with figures, concerning the world as a village of 100 people. The figures deal with major questions of our present world population like Gender, Languages, Continents, Religions and living conditions. The group must decide on each gap, what could be the correct answer (e.g. how many people of the given village of 100 people have a Buddhist religion...)
In a second step, the results are to be compared between the groups
In a third step the answer sheets with the real statistical figures is to be compared to the answers, which the group quoted on the fill in form. 
Main source: Resurgence, n°170 - Social Trends, n°68/1995 Other Sources: One World One Village, http://epic.mcmaster.ca/~garlandw/refer/village.htm. Further information and suggestion for learning activities can be found at: http://www.acblack.com/globalvillage/default.htm

Main methods
Group work

Description of the process and the possible stepping stones

It is important, that the group starts to discuss about each single figure. Most people have very small knowledge about world population figures and living conditions. The group must in case no one knows an answer, estimate. It is also important, that the results are compared between the groups, before the answer sheets are given out. The original idea has more items, but as an introductory game for raising awareness and knowledge it is not necessary to cover all areas of concern.  

References
Adopted from:
ASF Intercultural Programmes/European Federation for Intercultural
Learning (EFIL): EUROPE THROUGH OUR HEARTS AND MINDS  - PROMOTING CITIZENSHIP IN EUROPE - A TRAINING MANUAL Written and compiled by Luis Arnaut, Arjen Bos and Alessio Surian Project, May 2006

Author
Dr. Bernd Hainmüller, European Coordinator of TICKLE

Institution

Staatliches Seminar für Didaktik und Lehrerbildung (GHS) Offenburg, Germany