When planning an immersive challenge to foster empathy, such as a refugee experience simulation, it is essential to balance the element of surprise with the ethical requirement of informed consent. While unexpected elements can heighten realism, participants must fully understand the nature of the activity, especially when scenarios may be intense or distressing.
To achieve this, organisers should provide participants with a detailed overview of the event beforehand. This may include a letter explaining the challenge’s purpose and scope, along with an agreement form outlining consent. Allowing participants to opt in or out of specific activities ensures they engage at a level they are comfortable with.
A pre-event briefing session can further reinforce expectations and provide an opportunity for questions or concerns. Establishing a clear safe-word system enables participants to exit any scenario if it becomes overwhelming. It is important to communicate that this is a real-life tool for setting boundaries, not part of the role-play experience.
This clarity is crucial, as immersive challenges often involve participants stepping into the roles of others, which can blur the lines between personal emotions and situational responses.
Crafting an immersive experience
An effective challenge engages participants both physically and emotionally. For example, a simulation might involve dividing participants into groups based on seemingly arbitrary criteria, leading to varied levels of treatment to highlight real-world inequalities.
Physical endurance tasks, such as long treks across challenging terrain, can further deepen the experience. Organisers might incorporate elements like navigating muddy paths, rocky inclines, or flooded areas to simulate the hardships of displacement. Role-based disparities—where some groups experience harsher treatment while others receive preferential conditions—can provoke reflection on social divisions and resilience.
By structuring the challenge to evolve over time, participants can experience a journey that mirrors the unfolding hardships faced by those in crisis. However, it is essential to ensure that all activities remain within ethical boundaries and that participants always feel safe and supported.
The importance of informed consent
While the goal of such simulations is to evoke empathy and understanding, they also carry potential risks of emotional distress. Participants acting out roles may feel pressure to continue, even when uncomfortable, unless clear safeguards are in place.
By prioritising informed consent, organisers foster trust and respect within the group. Ensuring participants are aware of what to expect and have the ability to step away if needed reinforces that the challenge is about understanding hardship—not causing harm.
Balancing realism and ethics
Some may argue that withholding details enhances authenticity, but experience shows that informed consent does not reduce the challenge’s impact. Participants can still engage deeply, even with prior knowledge of the structure.
By maintaining a strong ethical framework, immersive challenges can be powerful and thought-provoking while respecting personal boundaries. True empathy arises not from shock tactics but from meaningful, well-structured engagement that encourages participants to connect with others’ realities in a safe and supportive environment.