DeMarle- BREAKAWAY game and camp model El Salvador Nov. 2013

Creating
Champions
Ann DeMarle
demarle@champlain.edu

Emergent Media Center
at Champlain College

Friday, November 22, 13

Hello, thank you for allowing me to speak to you tonight.
I’m Ann DeMarle the Associate Dean of Emergent Media Center and the director of the Emergent Media Center at Champlain College (EMC).


We have about 80-100 students working on a variety of projects at the EMC.
We believe in the inherent possibilities of youth to create meaningful solutions to Wicked Problems. What’s a wicked problem? It’s a term from the fields of
engineering and math.

Wicked Problems


We have about 80-100 students working on a variety of projects at the EMC.
We believe in the inherent possibilities of youth to create meaningful solutions to Wicked Problems. What’s a wicked problem? It’s a term from the fields of
engineering and math.

“es un problema difícil o imposible de resolver
porque los requisitos suelen ser difíciles de
reconocer por incompletos, contradictorios, y
cambiantes.”
—http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_problem

Wicked Problems are problems that seem to have no solutions – I bet you can name a few – global warming, overpopulation, & economic inequity. We
challenge our students to tackle the “wicked problems” facing our collective future through technology married to the human touch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
“A problem that is difficult or impossible to solve because of incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements that are often difficult to recognize.” —
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_problem

“a problem that is difﬁcult or impossible to solve
because of incomplete, contradictory, and changing
requirements that are often difﬁcult to recognize.”
—http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_problem

Wicked Problems are problems that seem to have no solutions – I’m betting you can name a few – global warming, overpopulation, economic equity,
violence against women.. We challenge our students to tackle the “wicked problems” facing our collective future through technology married with the human
touch.
“A problem that is difficult or impossible to solve because of incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements that are often difficult to recognize.” —
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_problem


We support them by providing a process and by building a collaborative team composed of students, faculty, staff and subject matter experts.

• Brainstorming

A quick look at our development process

• Prototyping & Proposal


• Iterative Design


• Production


• User Testing


• Reﬁnement


• Release


Masie Learning Summits:
Learning Apps

A sampling of some of our projects our students have built include: apps for learning and health;

Center for Integration of Medical & Innovative Technology:
Emergency Response Simulator

an online web training tool that simulates disasters and trains responders for emergencies;
This emergency response training project was developed in conjunction with the Center for Integration of Medical and Innovative Technology (CIMIT) at Massachusetts General Hospital
and is funded by the VHA Health Foundation. Using the National Incident Management System (NIMS), RIPS (Real-Time Incident Preparedness Simulator) seeks to go beyond other
instructional tools by delivering tense, engaging disaster scenarios. Players work together to resolve disasters, while a Disaster Moderator (DM) introduces additional challenges in the
form of on-the-fly modifications to the scenario. The DM also provides feedback and facilitates a thorough debriefing.

IBM:
Open Sims Business Solutions

a collaborative project management tool in the virtual world with IBM;
The Emergent Media Center at Champlain College and IBM began this project in the Fall of 2008. A team of students, along with faculty and staff support worked on creating unique
three-dimensional business solutions in the virtual world of OpenSim, an open-source version of the popular sim, Second Life.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Innovation Grant:
University of Vermont
Cystic Fibrosis Breath Biofeedback Games

a video game and breathing device for children with Cystic Fibrosis;
In partnership with the UVM College of Medicine and Dr. Peter Bingham, the Emergent Media Center took an innovative approach to reaching children with Cystic Fibrosis by creating an
electronic game prototype encouraging the improved adoption of breathing exercises and furthering the research into the effectiveness of such a game. This project has completed the
production stage and is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. LUDICROSS & CREEP FRONTIER

capacity in the patients,

These were proven successful at increasing motivation and lung

Ford Foundation:
Rural Economic Equity Game

and currently the students are completing a project with the Ford Foundation that will enable rural communities to understand the concept of sustainability through
balancing economic value chains,


But perhaps the most wicked problem the EMC has been asked to address was brought to us by the United Nations Population Fund and a partnering
organization Population Media Center.

The shooting of 14-year-old Pakistani Malala Yousufzai

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/11/opinion/buffett-girls-safety/index.html

That of VAWG. as exemplified by the shooting of 14-year-old Pakistani Malala Yousufzai for being a public advocate of education for girls.
Its forms include:

Abuso Físico
EEUU: una mujer es golpeada (usualmente por su compañero de vida)
cada 15 segundos.
Globalmente, un mínimo de 1 de cada 3 mujeres y niñas es
golpeada o abusada sexualmente en su vida.
Los Niños que son testigos de la violencia de su padre son 10
veces más propensos a cometer abuso contra sus esposas de adultos.
Africa: hay más de 90 millones de mujeres y niñas víctimas de la
circuncisión femenina u otras formas de mutilación genital.
EEUU: 63.84% de las mujeres que reportan abuso desde la edad de
18 fueron víctimas del esposo, compañero de vida, novio, o en una cita.


Physical Abuse
US: a women is battered (usually by an intimate partner) every 15 seconds.
Globally, at least 1 in every 3 women and girls is battered or sexually abused during her lifetime.
Boys who witness their father’s violence are 10 times more likely to commit abuse against their spouses as adults.
Africa: over 90 million women and girls that are victims of female circumcision or other forms of genital mutilation.
US: 63.84% of women reporting abuse from the age of 18 were victims of their husband, intimate partner, boyfriend, or on a date.

Physical Abuse
US: a women is battered (usually by an intimate partner) every 15
seconds.
Globally, at least 1 in every 3 women and girls is battered or
sexually abused during her lifetime.
Boys who witness their father’s violence are 10 times more
likely to commit abuse against their spouses as adults.
Africa: over 90 million women and girls that are victims of female
circumcision or other forms of genital mutilation.
US: 63.84% of women reporting abuse from the age of 18 were
victims of their husband, intimate partner, boyfriend, or on a date.


That of VAWG.
Physical Abuse

Tráfico Sexual
EEUU: se estima 17,500 mujeres, niños y niñas traficadas
anualmente para la explotación sexual o trabajo forzado.
4 millones de mujeres y niñas traficadas anualmente a nivel
mundial.

Globalmente se calcula un millón de menores, en su mayoría niñas,
entran al comercio sexual cada año.


Sex Trafficking
US: an estimated 17,500 women and children are trafficked annually for sexual exploitation or forced labor.
4 million women and girls are trafficked annually worldwide.
Globally an estimated one million children, mostly girls, enter the sex trade each year.

Sex Trafficking
US: an estimated 17,500 women and children are trafficked
annually for sexual exploitation or forced labor.
4 million women and girls are trafficked annually worldwide.
Globally an estimated one million children, mostly girls, enter the
sex trade each year.


Sex
Traffickin
g

Asesinato
EEUU: 33% de víctimas de femicidio muertas a mano de su
compañero íntimo.
Al menos 60 millones de niñas se "pierden" en varias poblaciones,
mayormente en Asia, como resultado de abortos para seleccionar el
sexo, infanticidio o negligencia.
Zimbabwe: la violencia doméstica en más del 60% de casos de
asesinato que pasan por la corte en Harare.
"Asesinato por honor" acaba con las vidas de miles de mujeres
jóvenes cada año, principalmente en Noráfrica, Asia occidental y partes
del Sur de Asia.


Murder
US: 33% of female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner.
At least 60 million girls are "missing" from various populations, mostly in Asia, as a result of sex-selective abortions, infanticide or neglect.
Zimbabwe: domestic violence accounts for more than 60% of murder cases that go through the high court in Harare.
"Honour killings" end the lives of thousands of young women every year, mainly in North Africa, Western Asia and parts of South Asia.

Murder
US: 33% of female homicide victims are killed by an intimate
partner.
At least 60 million girls are "missing" from various populations,
mostly in Asia, as a result of sex-selective abortions, infanticide or
neglect.
Zimbabwe: domestic violence accounts for more than 60% of
murder cases that go through the high court in Harare.
"Honour killings" end the lives of thousands of young women
every year, mainly in North Africa, Western Asia and parts of South Asia.


M
ur
de
r

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?s=6820063

This is an issue that I am not isolated from. Just two years before we began this project, in relatively crime free Burlington, VT, we lost a colleague at the
college,
Laura Winterbottom, a quiet colleague from Champlain’s marketing department. She was abducted and murdered by a stranger after leaving her sister after
dinner out.


Together with the UN and PMC, the solution we created is BREAKAWAY: the game to address violence against women and girls. It brings us here this week.
A project developed by 120+ student developers and volunteers to include translators, musicians, and marketing professionals.


BREAKAWAY is an official tool of the UN’s UNiTE campaign to End VAWG

Metas del Proyecto:
Cambio del
comportamiento
1. Concientización
2. Rendición de cuentas
3. Actitud y cambio de comportamiento
4. Incidencia


Many programs focus on victims. Yet the UN has identiﬁed VAW as a key driver of worldwide poverty. So we’re taking a different tack - our goal is to change the
attitudes & behavior of men and boys. Its designed to educate during the critical social development years of 8 -15 years old.
Its Goal is Behavior Shift in a stepped approach:
1. Awareness
2. Personal Accountability
3. Attitude & Behavior Change
4. Advocacy

Project Goals:
Behavior Shift
1.Awareness
2.Personal Accountability
3.Attitude & Behavior Change
4.Advocacy


Many programs focus on victims. Yet the UN has identiﬁed VAW as a key driver of worldwide poverty. So we’re taking a different tack - our goal is to change the
attitudes & behavior of men and boys. Its designed to educate during the critical social development years of 8 -14 years old.

Why Games?
Experiential Learning
• Identiﬁcation with
characters
• Role playing real life
situations
• Active decision making =
critical thinking
• Reﬂection & storytelling


The solution relies on the medium that speaks directly to boys—video games. They are powerful learning tools.

Sabido
Methodology
• Entertainment Education
• Social Change
• Role Modeling:
• Positive
• Negative
• Transitional
• Narrative 70/30 rule


The solution also depends on a behavioral methodology developed in LAtin American proven to be effective when used in a linear format of radio & video

• Player becomes the Transitional Character.
• Interactivity leads to decision-making.
• Player experiences cause and effect.


Joining games & Sabido produces brings unique strengths for social change


The project brought forward some HUGE challenges to concept & development: How do you create a ﬁrst person game that is meant to appeal to EVERY
boy in the world?
What cultural language supports a world audience? An audience with widely disparate world-views and economic opportunities. In traveling to the
townships of South Africa in an early phase of discovery, the students recognized their answer. The universal language would be that of


Soccer! The team’s solution is a free web delivered soccer game — most popular sport worldwide and with national teams in more countries than the UN is
in.
Our player has the chance in the game to make heroic decisions – decisions of self-discovery – that impact the final game score, the team’s
outcome in the championship, AND gauges their growth in terms of the issue of violence against women and girls.

Desafíos: un público mundial
• Tecnología-sistema de entrega
• Relato universal-tema
• Contexto-puede ser la cancha de
cualquier niño?
• Etnicidad — estereotipos
• Vestimenta — religión— que sea aceptable
• Sin implicaciones románticas ni sexuales
• Cómo se presentan a las niñas
• Sin presentar acciones violentas
• Idioma y localización
• Sin socio de relaciones públicas
• Brechas en el ﬁnanciamiento

In designing the game we had many challenges/ Specifically our challenges mostly centered on storytelling, player choice, distribution, & asset management.
Technology—delivery system I Universal story—theme I Setting—could this be every boy’s home turf? I Ethnicity — stereotypes I Clothing — religion
—cool factor I No romantic or sexual implications I Portrayal of girls not as victims I No violent actions I Language & localization I No PR partner I
Funding gaps


BREAKAWAY’s solution is based on the age old dilemma of peer pressure - who do you side with & who will hang out with you?


The game system is based on an interactive narrative and a series of skill-building mini-games (shooting, defending, tackling). Choices in these determine you
and your team’s chances at winning the longer play soccer matches.


As the player, you make choices on how to treat the girls in the narrative. These decisions determine which team mates you practice with and therefore what
soccer skills you learn from your team mates. Literally you can not win if you do not become a champion for the girls in the narrative.


In BREAKAWAY, the issue of violence against women is never explicitly conveyed & it does not demand the boys to take on adult violence. In fact to the boys, our
players, the theme is soccer. Created for global distribution BREAKAWAY was launched with the World Cup in 2010. International soccer star, Samuel Eto’o is the
game’s spokesperson and a walk-on character in the game!

Online Top 20 Countries:
US
UK
Canada
American Samoa
Albania & India (tied)
Algeria
Brazil
Australia, France & Pakistan (tied)
Malaysia
Spain
Philippines
Morocco & South Africa (tied)
Iran
Japan
Mexico
Indonesia

After three years of development, the game was released as 13 episodes and 4 languages. To date has been played online in over 180 countries....letting us
know that we had created a universal story.

•49% under 18 years old
•31% female, 64% male
•88% more positive choices

Of those players:
• Age: 49% age 18 or under
• Gender Breakdown: 31% female, 64% male, 5% do not report gender
• Over 88% of players made more positive choices than negative choice

On the ground partnerships:
• UNDP El Salvador
• University of Sonsonate
• Network of Municipalities, Sonsonate
• City of Hebron, Palestine
• Fundacion Privada Samuel Eto’o
• Grassroots Soccer
• Ikamva Youth
• ManUp Campaign
• Streetfootballworld
• Restless Development
• Sinethemba Secondary School
• Bishop’s Preparatory School

Through on the ground partnerships over 750 CDs have been distributed during World Cup and another 200,000 for distribution are free to groups that
wish to incorporate the game into their programs through the UNFPA country offices.

Facilitator’s Guide

The team also developed a free online is a newly developed Facilitators Guide for groups to incorporate the game into their educational programs. It
increases the reflective capacity of the game experience and brings forward support systems for change within real life.

The Camp Model

In the summer of 2011, one of my students Mahmoud Jabari with us here this week, successfully organized and ran a suite of BREAKAWAY summer
camps for over 120 youth in the divided West Bank city of Hebron. Though even the camp facilitators disagreed as to the role of women in society, they
agreed to one key concept – respect for each other’s opinions.

The Camp Model

Some children in the camp disagreed so forcefully with even the idea of girls being able to play sports that they would not attend discussions or
activities

The Camp Model

– that is at first. They continued to play BREAKAWAY and drawn in by soccer and the game narrative and the

Respect changes attitudes

respectful approach of the facilitators, these children changed their attitudes

Respect changes attitudes

and behavior – to the point of actually playing soccer alongside the girls.


In the online and the facilitated camp model we’ve witnessed positive attitude shift:
as 13 YO Foluso said after playing the online game:
and from 12 yo Haroun after playing through the Hebron camps:

“It has shown me that it is not about how good your soccer skills
are. It is about attitude, teamwork & determination.
What you do when you are not on the pitch is important as well.”
—Foluso, age 13, England


“I told my friends about how great this
game is & I shared with them that
violence against women is negative &
how to make right decisions.”
—Haroun, age 12, Hebron

“It has shown me that it is not about how good your soccer skills
are. It is about attitude, teamwork & determination.
What you do when you are not on the pitch is important as well.”



So it is our pleasure to partner...


with UNDP, University of Sonsonate, and the Network of 5 Municipalities of Sonsonate...

Facilitator Training &
Youth Camps in Sonsonate

to offer facilitator training and youth camps. Here in El Salvador we’ve trained 45 Facilitators - now referees and over 70 children are participating in the youth
camps.

Game Play

The camp model has been fine-tuned and includes: Game play

Learning Activities

Learning activities that reinforce the concepts in the game’s episodes.

Reﬂective
Dialogue


and reflective dialogue that builds on personal experiences.

Next Steps:
Breakaway Initiative

• Impact Assessment
• On the ground partnerships
• Broad Distribution

http://www.breakawaygame.com
https://www.facebook.com/breakawaygame

“It has shown me that it is not about how good your soccer skills are. It is
about attitude, teamwork and determination. What you do when you are
not on the pitch is important as well.”

Become a
Champion for
Change
Ann DeMarle
demarle@champlain.edu


DeMarle- BREAKAWAY game and camp model El Salvador Nov. 2013

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