Identity and Ethnic Discrimination in Africa: From VR Perspective Taking to Action

The diverse nature of many African societies is a major cause of discrimination, stigmatisation and inter-ethnic violence across the continent. Studies have shown that empathy and compassion both lead to a better understanding of others’ sufferings, and thus efforts to reduce it. One way this works is through perspective-taking which is a major characteristic of Virtual Reality (VR). In the immersive virtual reality (VR) experience, participants will (through perspective-taking) walk in the shoes of people in ethnic groups different from theirs, helping them appreciate their identity and share in their sufferings. We, therefore, propose that teaching adolescents empathy and compassion through virtual reality can help to reduce ethnic discrimination. The aim of this project is to use first, the process of brainstorming on identity, conceptualisation and design of a VR game; and second, the process of playing a VR game to increase empathy and compassion in adolescents.