A Game About Climate Change

Active Peace and “Keep Cool”

August 23, 2017

Last Wednesday, young people from the Active Peace Program came to our American Corner to promote the game “Keep Cool.” This board game provides a learning experience for the players about how the economic policies of many countries affect climate change. Recent scientific studies show evidence that the world is undergoing Global Warming, which is a troubling issue because it results in the melting of the icebergs in Antarctica and the Arctic, increasing sea levels and threatening to flood many countries, and the increase in temperature worldwide. Therefore, learning about the negative effects of climate change and how we can help prevent it will be important, especially for young people.

The game Keep Cool simulates countries in the world trying to achieve their economic goals (for example, building more factories for the oil industry). The players are given a country or organization: the US, Europe, South American countries, OPEC, and the USSR, and each one try to play against each other or choose to work together to achieve their economic interests. In addition, choosing between economic interests and climate protection is complicated by catastrophic situations. For example, a drought may come to Venezuela, destroying their crops. A landslide may occur in America. There may be a flood or disease that follow. Therefore, the game simulates the reality of policy makers about the tradeoffs between economic growth and global climate change.

The way to win is if a country can achieve their economic goals. However, there is also the risk of destroying everything if the global climate changes dramatically, and everyone loses!

Sponsored by the Active Peace Program, the young people came to the American Corner and played the game. It was a lot of fun, and there were many laughs when South America and India had to pool their money – an alliance – so they can better play against Europe and America. There were instances when players playing as Europe and America had to give out loans (of fake money) to the other players, all the while trying to keep the world from collapsing under climate change!

The game reflects the mission of the Active Peace program in developing the capacities of young people in diversity, teamwork, conflict resolution and critical thinking.

The young people who attended all came from diverse backgrounds. Some were from our own city of Ceadir Lunga. Some were from Chisinau. We even had visitors from the Transnistrian Republic.

Overall, it was a fun and exciting, and a learning experience for all those who attended!

Many thanks to the organizers of the event: Masha, Gabby, and Vitya. Keep up the good work guys!

For Russian, please see Активный мир и Keep Cool

Showing Off Our American Corner :)

An Exhibit of the American Corner Room

Hello! Today we will give you a quick tour of our corner in the Public Library of Ceadir Lunga. Come with us!

The American Corner at the Ceadir Lunga Public Library opened in October 2006. During this time, with the collaboration between the US Embassy in Moldova and the Public Library, our room was provided with bookcases, chairs, tables, computers with internet access, art supplies, printers, and a lot of other things!

When our American Corner opened in 2006 many important public officials and education experts showed up such as the US Ambassador to Moldova, Michael Kirby, the Mayor of Ceadir Lunga, English Language teachers from every school in the city, officials from the government and non-profit institutions, and many others. It was a very fun event.

Our American Corner in Ceadir Lunga boasts about 1550 books for children, teenagers, and adults. That is a lot of books for a small corner! These books showcase the American culture, with a focus on history, education, politics, and economics. We also have bestselling fantasy and fiction books from America.

In addition, the Corner provides access to a wealth of entertainment and information through the Internet, films, and educational CD Roms, DVD’s and audio cassettes.

We have an active group of young students, teachers, and professionals that frequently collaborate with us through clubs and projects!

For example, there are many in our community that come to our Corner to study English and attend our free English discussions. Younger children are also involved in our English Club and Film Club, where we watch films in English and followed by a discussion. As well, we also provide trainings and presentations relating to life skills (Public Speaking, Computer Skills, Blogging) that are important in our daily lives.

Some of the services we provide are:

-       Books and periodicals about American culture

-       English instruction materials

-       Collection of CDs, Films and audio cassettes

-       Internet access and computers

-       English Language Classes

-       Discussion Club, English Club, Film Club, Snap Circuits Club

-       And more!

Right now, there are only 4 American Corners in Moldova: Ungheni, Balti, Tiraspol, and Ceadir Lunga. Therefore, our Corner is unique and special!

We want to show you more of what we have to offer, and we hope that you will take an interest in American culture and books.

Скоро увидимся! Bye!