UN Harnesses Power of Video Games to Promote Democracy, Equality, and Environmental Awareness

Democracy's values, such as participation, equality, and respect for rights, are finding expression in unexpected places, including in video games. The United Nations has been working with video games for over two decades, using them as educational tools to raise awareness, teach rights, and promote values central to democracy and sustainable development. Video games can complement traditional democratic spaces by giving players opportunities to learn about rights, participation, and inclusion in an interactive way.

Key Takeaways:

• The United Nations has been working with video games for over two decades, using them as educational tools to raise awareness, teach rights, and promote values central to democracy and sustainable development.
• Examples of UN video game projects include UNHCR's Against All Odds, which places schoolchildren in the role of refugees, and the World Food Programme's Free Rice, which enables players to answer quiz questions and fund rice donations to people in need.
• The Game Changers Coalition, led by UNICEF, is equipping adolescent girls in multiple countries with digital and gaming skills, directly supporting gender equality in the gaming industry.
• The UN supports partnerships with the global gaming industry, including the Play for the Planet Alliance, which has brought together major companies such as Sony, Microsoft, Ubisoft, and Tencent in committing to reduce their environmental footprint and weave environmental awareness into popular games.
• A UNDP survey found that nearly 80% of players who encountered environmental messages in games reported adopting at least one positive real-life habit, such as saving energy or choosing sustainable transport.
• The Darkest Files, a game that places players in the role of investigators of Nazi crimes, was showcased at Gamescom 2025 as part of the "Games for Democracy" initiative, highlighting games that promote democratic values and political education.
• The Gaming and Responsibility panel at Gamescom explored the potential of gaming to teach climate action and other key issues.

Statistics:

• Over three billion people, or 40% of the global population, play video games.
• The global gaming industry's revenue overshadows the combined value of the music and film industries.
• Gamescom 2025 attracted over 350,000 visitors from 128 countries.
• The UN has been working with video games for over 20 years.

Sources:

• UNRIC: "International Day of Democracy 2025"
• UNHCR's Against All Odds
• World Food Programme's Free Rice
• Game Changers Coalition
• Play for the Planet Alliance
• UNDP survey
• Darkest Files game
• Gamescom 2025 press releases.