STEPS Narrate the following imaginary situation of four villages settled on the banks of a river. Kotabagh, Gewali, Kandali and Goppa are villages adjoining each other beside a river. People in Kotabagh were the first settlers on the riverbank. They had an uninterrupted access to abundant natural resources available in the region.
Gradually, people from different regions started coming to this region because of the abundant natural resources and water. Now there are four villages. With time the population of these villages expanded. But resources did not expand.
Each village started making claims over natural resources including the boundary of their respective settlement. Inhabitants of Kotabagh argued for a greater share in natural resources, as they were the first settlers. Settlers of Kandali and Gewali said that as they have bigger populations than the others they both need a greater share. The people of Goppa said as they are used to an extravagant life they need a bigger share, though their population is smaller in size.
All four villages disagreed with each other’s demands and continued to use the resources as they wished. This led to frequent clashes among the villagers. Gradually, everybody felt disgusted with the state of affairs and lost their peace of mind. Now they all wish to live the way they had lived earlier.
But they do not know how to go back to that golden age. Make a brief note describing the characteristics of each village — the description should reflect the actual nature of present-day nations. Divide the classroom into four groups. Each group is to represent a village.
Hand over the village notes to the respective groups. The teacher is to allot a time ( minutes) for group discussions on how to go back to the golden age. Each should develop its own strategy. All groups are to negotiate freely among themselves as village representatives, to arrive at a solution (within minutes).
Each would put forth its arguments and counter arguments. The result could be: an amicable agreement accommodating the demands of all, which seldom happens; or, the entire negotiation/discussion ends without achieving the purpose. Ideas for the Teacher Link the villages to nations and connect to the problems of security (threat to geographical territory/ access to natural resources/insurgency, and so on). Talk about the observations made during the negotiation and explain how similarly the nations behave while negotiating on related issues.
The activity could be concluded by making reference to some of the current security issues between and among nations.