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PACHAMAMA V. PRODUCTION

The Constitutional Conflict over Los Cedros and the Rights of Nature, 2020

by Alex Rolnick

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Ecuador's Constitutional Court is about to hear a case that will test the limits of its 2008 constitution, which was the first in the world to recognize the rights of nature. The cloud forests of northwestern Ecuador include the biodiverse Los Cedros Protected Forest, a home to endangered species unique to the area. In 2017, Ecuador's Ministry of Environment permitted exploration of copper and gold mining in Los Cedros by the national mining company, ENAMI EP, in partnership with Cornerstone, a Canadian mining company. In response, the local government of Santa Ana de Cotacachi filed a lawsuit arguing that mining would threaten the forests ecosystems and water sources, and therefore the constitutional rights of nature. In this game, you will participate in  a 2020 public hearing held by Ecuador's Constitutional Court, the state's highest interpreter of constitutional law. You will take on roles in one of four factions: Judges, who will weigh arguments and issue a final ruling; Advocates for Pachamama, who argue for an expansive interpretation of the rights of nature; and Advocates for Production, who defend the state's ability to pursue responsible economic development and its interest in protecting investor rights. The Media will report on the proceedings and influence the significance of the final ruling. 

ABOUT THE GAME

Details

Disciplines
Indigenous and Native American Studies, Political Science & Government, World History, Environmental Science

Sample Class Titles
Environmental Science, World History, Comparative Legal Systems

Themes and Issues  
Development vs. Climate Justice, State Power, Sovereignty, and Global Capital; Rights of Nature and Legal Innovation


Era 
21st Century

Geography 
Latin America

Notable Roles


Primary Source Highlights 
Ecuador's Constitution (Excerpt)

Level
Microgame Under Review 

Player Interactions 
Factional

Mechanics 


Chaos and Demand on Instructor 
Low Chaos; Low Demand on Instructor.

Using the Game

Class Size & Scalability 
This game is recommended for classes with 10-20 Students

Class Time  
This game can be played in a single session.

Assignments
You can adjust the assignments based on the desired learning outcomes of your class. This game includes a reflective writing assignment detailed in the Instructor's Manual. Not all roles are not required to give a speech.


GAME MATERIALS

Reacting Consortium members can download all game materials below. You will be asked to sign in before downloading.  

Please fill out the Permissions Request Form before using Pachamama v. Production in your class!

Instructor's Manual

The Instructor's Manual includes guidance for assigning roles, presenting historical context, assignments, activities and discussion topics, and more. 

Role Sheets

Students need a Role Sheet, which contains biographical information, role-specific resources or assignments, and their character's victory objectives. 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex Rolnick

Alex Rolnick has taught Social Studies for over a decade in public and independent school contexts in Tanzania, Somaliland and the United States. He currently teaches at Mary Institute Country Day School (MICDS) in St. Louis, and serves on the Reacting Consortium Board. He has a M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Some of the work he is most proud of as a teacher is creating curriculum that utilizes role play to deeply engage students in learning in order to help them analyze, understand and represent diverse perspectives in the classroom.

QUESTIONS

Members can contact game authors directly if they have questions about using the game. We also invite instructors join our Facebook Faculty Lounge, where you'll find a wonderful community eager to help and answer questions. 


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