Group Activities

These activities can be adapted for a range of formal curriculum subjects and as group exercises. Add new dimensions as appropriate, for example, as an extended essay, exploring the statistics behind the ideas or in order to read maps and plot the journey of cheaply priced socks etc.

Refer to the ethical consumption section on the website for further background information, tips for ethical shopping and some of the ‘ethics’ debates.

Note: if you have completed any of the activities or projects send them to contact@developmenteducation.ie and we will add them to the site!

Activity 1: Debating the issue

Use our general guide to ethical consumption topics & issues to debate, in groups, one of the following motions:

  • Ethical consumption equals fair trade
  • Goods and services should be taxed proportionality based on the amount of water used to produce them and CO2 they generate
  • Eating meat is bad for the planet
  • My actions alone are too small to make a difference
  • The more you consume, the more taxes you should pay

Use the feedback from the groups to explore their personal positions on these motions and what they might say about the world. Return to the content from the animation – how does the group feel about the issues as (1) consumers and (2) citizens. Draw up a list of answers as the basis for developing a statement or manifesto detailing a series of actions they can take.

Activity 2: Case study research

Split your group up into teams of 4 or 5 each and give them with one of the ethical consumption logos to discuss between them. Use the following questions to prompt discussion:

  • Has anyone seen this before?
  • Have you purchased a product that had this logo on it?
  • What is this logo for? What do you think it is for?
  • Do you think it’s important? If so, why?

In small groups, present results to the whole group. The discussion should focus on the last question in particular and the importance for individuals, governments and companies.

Extended activity: in pairs, encouraged the groups to research one of the logos and prepare a visual product – based on the role of the logo. This can be a poster, a drawing or a satirical advert challenging the target companies or governments (see the collection of spoof ads at Adbusters for some inspiration https://www.adbusters.org/spoofads)

Activity 3

Investigate the work of one or more consumer watchdogs, indices and reports monitoring various companies’ ethical values. Provide the groups with this annotated list of websites for their research. Write a 500 word report on one of the subjects/companies encountered and make three recommendations to the class from your findings. Make sure that your report includes something on:

  • The geography of the company – where does the company operate? Who benefits and who loses from our use of the products or services?
  • A short commentary, based on findings from the Behind the Brands campaign
  • The main sustainable development, human rights or justice challenges raised by this company (or issue/website) and why we should draw attention to them