Establishment of Steigerwald as the Third National Park in Bavaria?
A panel discussion
07.08.2024
By Andrea Seligmann and Jennifer Meder
Supervisor: Dr. Susanne B. Unger
The Steigerwald has been a focal point in Bavaria for years, with various stakeholders advocating for and against its establishment as a national park. This issue is not only timely but also critical, given the EU’s recent Restoration Act, which mandates the recovery of at least 20 % of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030.
Our interest in this topic was sparked by an ESCP excursion to the Bavarian Forest, where we observed the benefits and challenges of managing a national park firsthand. This experience, combined with the ongoing political and social debate, made the idea of Steigerwald as a national park a compelling case study for our project.
We aimed to find out if putting oneself in someone else’s position changes the personal opinion on an environmental political issue. To explore the issue, we organized two simulated panel discussions where participants took on the roles of six different stakeholders. This approach allowed us to create a realistic and dynamic environment for debate, fostering mutual understanding and critical thinking among the participants. The role-playing method was crucial in helping participants understand and articulate the concerns and motivations of different stakeholders, such as environmentalists, local residents, politicians, and economic stakeholders. Before and after the discussion, we conducted surveys to measure any personal opinion shifts and to assess the impact of the simulation.
Our project highlights the importance of integrating diverse perspectives in environmental decision-making. We hope our findings contribute to a more informed and inclusive dialogue about the future of the Steigerwald and similar environmental issues.