You are here - Home > Activities > Local Access Forum
Local Access Forum
Suggested Method:
Ask the children to get into groups of 4 – 8 to form a Local Access Forum. Give a brief introduction to Local Access Forums, who is a member and what they hope to achieve.
One job of the forum is to offer assistance in disputes about access. Brainstorm with the group the potential conflict situations that a forum may be asked to help to resolve. Encourage the children to think of locally relevant issues – your local ranger may be able to help. Alternatively, use the suggestions for conflict scenarios.
Once you have decided which conflict situation the forums will be asked to resolve, discuss who should be represented at the meeting. Ensure you include representatives from the conflict groups. You could give the children sticky labels and/or props to help identify who they are to the others.
Give each panel a copy of the toolkit and about 10 minutes to reach a solution for their issue. They could note down their suggestions. Give each Local Access Forum a new issue to deal with.
Finish by bringing all the groups together to feedback their suggestions for resolving the conflicts. Do all groups agree? Which is the best solution?