Integrative Ecology Education
An introduction into stakeholders
Within a world of many conflicting perspectives, it’s important to recognise different stakeholders and their ethical opinions; bodies that represent a particular opinion on a topic or issue. It is becoming increasingly more crucial, in recognising that each representative within a topic/issue has a valued opinion, even if the majority or the reader, does not agree with it.
It is important to identify strategies or plans that have been implemented and to relate these strategies to relevant stakeholders. Within the field of science, there are multiple perspectives that need to be taken into account when strategising solutions to implement into modern-day issues.
A stakeholder, by definition: "a person or group that has an investment, share, or interest in something, as a businessor industry" (www.dictionary.com, 2019). This definition is extremely broad, and expansive; ranging from someone who cares about a particular topic like IVF or Feral Horses, to someone who has shares within a business or company.
A brief description of this activity
When presented with local and global issues it is important to be able to identify the various stakeholders, what they represent and why. Within this activity, students will be given the opportunity to understand and learn about what stakeholders are. Students will use their knowledge to recognise and differentiate between various ethical perspectives - why would someone represent their particular ideals? This activity highlights the various social and public opinions and the importance of discern between them.
Activity 1
To introduce the concept of stakeholders, the subject of GM foods will be the topic of conversation.
Students will be split into groups of 3-4 members and will be given a list of videos, in the worksheet and below, to analyse. From these videos, the students will work together to investigate the various stakeholders and their perspectives.
(Note: Video 4 is below 3 youtube videos)
Activity Questions
Within the groups that the students have been allocated to, answer these questions in response to the video sources listed above.
a) Who is/are the stakeholder(s)/organisation(s) that is/are involved within the video?
b) What is their stance on GM foods/GMOs?
c) What reasons do they provide to emphasise their opinion?
d) Briefly describe your perspective on this issue.