Taboo-breaking game encourages diversity and inclusion
The board game for teams 'Let's Play Equal: The most unfair game in the world' is launched, kickstarting conversations about diversity, inclusion, and equality in the workplace. Although organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of these issues, only a small minority has actually developed policies around them. ‘Let’s play equal - The most unfair game in the world’, was launched during the two-day B for Good Leaders Summit in Amsterdam on May 11 and 12. The board game is designed for organizations that want to encourage conversations around complex social issues and create mutual understanding and equity in the workplace and beyond. The game's development is an initiative by the Amsterdam B coalition, in collaboration with B Lab Benelux.
Facilitating crucial and uncomfortable conversations
Many organizations know the importance of creating a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees can be themselves. However, while JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) is being discussed more than ever, only 2% of European organizations’ policies reach the highest level of maturity when assessed against the four dimensions of the Diversity and Inclusion maturity model*. To accelerate the crucial transition to equality in the workplace, the Amsterdam B coalition - consisting of B Corps Blyde Benelux, BR-ND People, Misteli creative agency and Greenjobs.nl - joined forces to launch a game that breaks taboos. After an intensive development process supported by B Lab Benelux, the result is being launched 12 May at the B for Good Leaders Summit in Amsterdam. The summit is attended by 1.200 leaders of international companies who want to make a positive contribution to the world.
Tessa van Soest, director of B Lab Benelux, commented:
"For real diversity, inclusion, and equality in organizations, entrenched structures must be dismantled. This game facilitates important - and often uncomfortable - conversations that must take place at all levels of an organization. From C-level to the workplace."
Unequal starting positions
Organizations can utilize the board game in internal JEDI workshops or training. At the start, each player is handed a persona card with various characteristics, such as gender, mental health, cultural background, education level, and sexual preference. Characteristics that one cannot always influence life but still affect the opportunities we are given. Just as in real life, these characteristics determine the starting positions and, therefore, the privileges of the players.
Throughout the game, players converse about various life events, such as falling in love with someone of the same gender, being discriminated against, or trying to get a job promotion. Whether the event positively or negatively impacts a character determines whether and how far the player can move forward. Who has the best chance of winning in the ‘game of life’? "Diversity, inclusion, and equality in the workplace do not arise organically; they require dedication and work from everyone in the organization. We know we do not have all the answers and are not flawless, but we hope to stimulate a ripple effect. Our main goal is to create more awareness by putting ourselves in other people's shoes in a vulnerable and secure way," says the Amsterdam B coalition.
About ‘Let’s play equal – the most unfair game in the world
· From today ‘Let’s play equal’ can be ordered via www.letsplayequal.com, and is expected to be delivered in August 2023.
· In-depth interviews inspire the character stories with real people.
· The game is suitable to play in a group of at least 4 and up to 8 players, and lasts 90 minutes.
· Price: €276 excl. VAT
· The profits from the game sales go to initiatives that contribute to a more inclusive society.
*Evidence from research conducted by PwC in 2021, based on 970+ responses across 19+ countries and 26 industries. Source: european-report.pdf (pwc.com)
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