This IPB University Alumni Successfully Goes International Through Board Games

Annisa Hasanah Arsyad, IPB University alumna from the Landscape Architecture Study Program succeeded in creating a game called Ecofunopoly. Ecofunopoly is a game similar to Monopoly but prioritizes environmental sustainability. This game changes the dynamics of conventional monopoly into an arena for measuring environmental awareness.

In Ecofunopoly, it is not the amount of wealth that determines winning, but rather how environmentally friendly the player’s behavior is. Money is replaced with carbon points, while the Opportunity and General Fund cards are replaced with Heat and Green cards. The main goal is to plant as many trees as possible and reduce the amount of carbon.

Each card in the game asks players to answer questions about environmental behavior. Their answers will affect the amount of carbon they have.

Annisa hopes that Ecofunopoly can change children’s behavior to be more concerned about the environment. By playing this game, it is hoped that they will carry this awareness into adulthood and apply it in everyday life.

While studying at IPB University, Annisa was very active in participating in various activities. She was previously treasurer and division head at the Landscape Architecture Student Association (Himaskap) and as human resource development (HRD) at IAAS. Apart from that, she also often volunteers in activities related to the environment.

Annisa’s motivation for creating Ecofunopoly arose from her concern about the habit of littering in Indonesia. She tries to solve this problem through interactive environmental education, such as Ecofunopoly.

Since its creation in 2009, Ecofunopoly has won various awards, both at home and abroad. In 2020, Annisa again won the prestigious award as winner of the SDGs & Her Competition award held by the World Bank. Annisa received an award for her breakthrough in creating the educational game Ecofunopoly which encourages children to love their environment.

Currently, Ecofunopoly has experienced development and evolution. Previously, production was only carried out on a small scale and initially, it only focused on environmental issues. As time goes by, the urgency grows. Therefore, the issues raised are not only environmental but also social and economic. Apart from providing game products, it also provides training, workshops, and services to companies or institutions that want to develop teaching aids/tools.

With her never-ending enthusiasm, Annisa Hasanah continues to develop Ecofunopoly and other environmental education products. She invited all young people to pursue their passion and continue working. For her, by making something we love the main focus, we can achieve more meaningful success. (Shintia/Rz) (IAAS/ASD)