Negotiating Win-Win Solutions

Session Six

Present plans and listen to all proposals.

• Distribute two copies of Impact of Proposals to each student. Explain that, as each negotiating group makes its presentation, students are to record the suggested plans, indicate their impact on each stakeholder group's interests and offer comments on the main strengths and weaknesses of each proposal. Call upon two representatives from each group to present their proposals to the class. Remind students to provide reasons and explain how their proposal provides a win-win solution for each stakeholder group. Encourage students to ask the presenters for clarification, if necessary. After all the presentations, invite the class to discuss the degree to which each plan meets various stakeholders' interests.

Introduce second critical task.

• After a suitable amount of class discussion, inform students that they are to address the second critical task:

Determine the best plan for improving conditions in the rain forest area.

Based on the discussions, ask students to put aside their assigned role and individually decide which plan (it may include several specific courses of action) offers the best win-win solution. In a position paragraph, each student is to explain why the proposed solution best serves all stakeholder groups. Reiterate that in making this judgement they should consider the criteria discussed earlier;

e.g., is feasible, promotes all groups' interests, is fair to everyone. Point out that it may be difficult to promote everyone's interests equally, but they should look for the plan that most closely meets this criterion or propose modifications that will better serve everyone's interests.

Debrief the role-play.

• After students have determined the best plan, invite them to share their solution with a partner, in small groups or as a class. Ask students to consider whether or not one plan can solve the problems facing the Brazilian rain forest. Also discuss the process used to reach a win-win solution. Distribute a copy of Self-evaluation to each student to use in assessing his or her personal contributions during the role-play. After completing their self-evaluation, instruct students to meet with their documentary teams to discuss the following questions:
  

  What problems did stakeholders face in reaching consensus?
  What strategies helped them work through the difficulties?
  Was their group's decision a win-win solution? Why or why not?