You are not one, you are a thousand: Findings from a future-oriented participatory action research

Abstract

There is a pragmatic and moral imperative to empower younger generations to tackle environmental degradation., In Iran and drought-stricken Isfahan with a dying river, children and the youth can play a major role in saving this historically significant city. This paper presents the results of a future-oriented drama-based participatory event in a high school in Isfahan. During a 6-day event, firstly, 25 female participants were interviewed about environmental hazards and their sense of agency toward the future. Subsequently, a council-of-all-being-inspired drama was staged during which the participants played local environment-related characters from Isfahan. Finally, on the fourth day, in a focus group, we discussed the reflections of students on this intervention. Paralyzing fear and despair, patriarchal social structure, consumerism, and deep-seated habits were regarded as the main barriers to pro-environmental behavior. Participants felt that they cannot overcome the weight of history to shape their desirable futures. Drama unveiled the participants consume-preserve dilemma, helped them empathize with nature, develop a sense of hope, decipher the importance of individual micro-steps, and even start an inter-generational dialogue.