_edited.png)
MInosia labyrinth
A simulation game to walk in the footsteps of migrant and refugees
Minosia Labyrinth is an interactive and educational role play- and simulation game (EduLARP) about migration in Europe. It aims to raise awareness on the complexities of the migration process and the difficulties migrants and refugees face in Europe.
The overall Minosia Labyrinth training method is set to last between one and 4 days, depending on the complexity level and group size. Indeed, before and after the role play game, the group engages in various activities to enhance reflections and discussions on themes such as inclusion and exclusion, discrimination, prejudice, (institutional) racism, privileges, human rights and colonialism. The role play game is the main and most important activity of the training.
This game is suitable for individuals working in various fields, such as non-profit organizations, schools, universities, teachers, social workers, youth workers, volunteers and professionals who work for and with migrants and refugees.
How the game works
The overall game experience is divided into different phases:
Phase one - Entering the character
Each player gets assigned by the facilitators a character in the game, based on the opposite identities and power positions of the participants. Participants therefore really go into the footsteps of someone they would not easily identify with in their daily life.There are many different types of characters: different types of migrants and different types of Minosia citizens performing their jobs (lawyer, journalist, immigration officer, police officer, ect.). Each character has a specific life story that leads them to where they are at the start of the game. Once each player has received their character, different activities enable them to “enter in the skin” of the character, in order to “follow their footsteps” inside of Minosia.
To enter the character of a police officer, the participant is wearing a uniform
Participants wear hats and wigs that they think fits with their characters
Phase two - Minosia
The game starts, and lasts for about 3 hours. The game is taking place in Minosia, a fictional country in the heart of Europe, where migrants arrive for diverse reasons. The country contains different official stations related to migration procedure, such as Immigration Office, Asylum Center, Language School, Border Police, Court room, ect. It also contains stations in which one can discuss with lawyers, NGOs, a press room, and other entities that are important in society, specifically in relation to migration and integration. Depending on their characters, players move within the ‘labyrinth’ of institutions, and interact with other players.
The migrant characters have a wide range of options to migrate to Minosia but the most important objective for them is to integrate completely in the country, which means achieving a legal status, learning the language and finding a job. However, as in European reality, reaching these aims isn’t as easy as it seems… During the game, they encounter various barriers, such as laws and regulations, complicated bureaucracy, language barriers, racism, discrimination, (de)privileges and prejudices.
As for the Minosian nationals characters, they are doing their job within the country.
.png)
Every partcipant has a particular character and role in the game. Some, like the newscomers, move from station to station in search for a residence permit, or even a job, while others, such as the teachers, stay in their assigned stations
Phase three - Debriefing
Because of the experience during the game, players feel empathy and increased understanding for migrants and refugees. Following the role play, participants discuss their insights, experiences, emotions and findings from the game. Through various methods before and after the game, participants engage in conversations about (institutional) racism, discrimination, privileges and stereotypes.
The participants are invited to use their creativity to reflect on their journey in Minosia, and the different issues they were confronted to through their character
Target group
Minosia Labyrinth has been developed as an educational toolkit for use in various (non-formal) educational sectors. The game is suitable for participants and groups in various fields, such as non-profit organizations, schools, universities, teachers, social workers, youth workers, volunteers and professionals who work for and with migrants and refugees. However, the game can also be used very well as a training method for people who work in the migration field and who deal with migrants and refugees on a daily basis. The game offers a unique opportunity to start a dialogue and reflect on themes such as inclusion and exclusion, discrimination, prejudice, (institutional) racism, privileges, human rights and colonialism. The game has been specially developed for people in a privileged position, but we have very positive experiences with mixed groups including people with lived migration experiences who found the game an empowering experience and powerful dialogue starter. We encourage organizations working with and for the migrant and refugee community, who have a profound interest in getting in a deeper and meaningful conversation on the migration experience, to get in touch with us!
More information
Are you interested in this project or have questions about it? Please reach out to our Project Lead Marie-José Van Schaik, or to our Communication Officer Julz Natri.
Minosia Labyrinth is a new non-formal educational tool that has been developed during a 3-year project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union by a consortium of 4 partner organizations: Refugee Company, Solar e.V., CIDAS and Asociatia A.R.T. Fusion. After the development of the game, two of the developers of the method have joined New Women Connectors. Recently we have trained new facilitators of the Minosia Labyrinth method and we are now able to organize and facilitate the game independently
.png)
Recent News:
