This month, Climatelinks focused on games for development. Games, usually seen as a leisure activity, are also useful learning tools. In general, games used in the context of international development are simplified versions of complex real-world experiences. They offer players a low-risk and engaging opportunity to make decisions, as well as experience the effects of those decisions. Gamification of development challenges can provide players with a clear sense of both the problem and potential solutions, as well as increasing their understanding of how their choices affect outcomes.
Explore the many resources, including blogs, websites, and research on the topic of games for development, shared by Climatelinks community members. The resources below range from pieces exploring the utility of games in the international development space, to web-based or printable games that can be played by anyone.
News and Blogs:
- Upping our game: a crop insurance project in Honduras proves wildly successful (International Research Institute for Climate and Society)
- Playing for the planet: How scientists use gaming to talk about climate change (CBC, 2019)
- Ready for Takeoff: Video Games in International Development (DAI, 2016)
- A gaming revolution for international development: How gaming is inspiring social change (Angle Journal, 2017)
- How Games Can Improve Development Outcomes (Technology Salon, 2015)
- Can games help people manage the climate risks they face? The participatory design of educational games (CDKN Action Lab, 2014)
- The climate and gender game (CDKN, 2012)
Publications:
- Games for a New Climate: Experiencing the Complexity of Future Risks (Boston University, 2012)
Websites:
- USAID Mobile Apps
- Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre Games
- Climate Institute: Climate Games
- You Change It! Climate Economics Game
- Global Climate Change Science Games
- Gaming Revolution for International Development (GRiD)
- Games for Change
- Games 4 Sustainability
Games:
Stephan Hardeman
Stephan Hardeman is the Site and Community Manager for Climatelinks. He draws on more than five years of experience in communications for international environmental trust funds to support Climatelinks through USAID’s Sharing Environment and Energy Knowledge (SEEK) initiative by engaging the Climatelinks community and featuring its work. Stephan has MAs in International Affairs (American University) and Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (United Nations University for Peace) and BAs in English and Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin.
Isabela Barriga
Isabela Barriga serves as the social media manager, content entry and work flow coordinator for Climatelinks. She assists with knowledge management, research and writing blogs. Previously, Isabela provided communication and content management support to organizations such as the United Nations Volunteers programme in Ecuador and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance in Washington, DC. Isabela holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Maryland, College Park and a minor in International Development & Conflict Management.
