Trade Rules, a role play pack from Christian Aid

Trade Rules, a role play pack from Christian Aid, L4.99 + p. and p., tel 020 7523 2270.

"International trade is now worth over L7 million a minute, and growing. But instead of bringing prosperity, trade rules, shaped by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), often cause injustice and poverty making the world's poorest people poorer." Says Christian Aid (CA).

To flesh out this claim the charity has launched a roleplaying simulation game with background information, leader's notes and photocopiable templates "to discover how the World Trade Organisation works and experience the frustrations of an unjust trading system." Playing time is approximately 90 minutes, for 16-34 players.

To get the best out of Trade Rules players need a basic understanding of the WTO as a forum where countries establish trading rules, along with an awareness of issues such as intellectual property rights, drug brands, patents, and the role of NGOs.

Participants 'role play' different countries, or trade blocks eg the EU. The game is played in three rounds during which they must produce goods for sale on the International Market. During rounds one and two, meetings of the WTO are held, where players vote on options for new trade rules. These rules will affect trading in subsequent rounds.

Countries use the money they have gained from production to buy air tickets to send delegates to the two WTO meetings. The amount they earn will determine how many delegates they can afford to send. These delegates will seek to influence decisions on trade, such as laws affecting agriculture or the creation of patents.

However, some countries (USA & EU) are given an advantage and receive confidential information before a negotiation round. For CA "this represents real-life negotiations from which poor countries are excluded and specialist knowledge to which they do not have access."

After each WTO meeting countries continue to produce goods but can only sell them according to the newly agreed WTO rules. After completing two WTO meetings and three production round the game concludes with a debrief. Christian Aid suggests that this should `include time for players to express their feelings and frustrations'.

Trade Rules includes a handon introduction to the theme of international trade and trade rules. The booklet makes th teachers' preparation as light as possible, with seating plans, one page summaries, leader's instructions for play with suggested timings.

The photocopiable resources such as role cards need to photocopied and laminated to withstand the demands of normal classroom use. I particularly liked the `Reality Behind Trade Rules' section that closes the booklet where aspects of the game are illustrated with case study evidence.

For me one of the main side issues raised by Trade Rules is the role of balance and objectivity. Economists spend so much time trying to be neutral that the political impact of policies can get lost on students. Expect the fur to fly as EU and USA delegates enjoy the benefits of `an even playing field' that WTO rules embody.

One of the ironies is that time is less short on the A2 course and there is time to explore issues in depth. Trade Rules is certainly affordable at only L5.00. Does Trade Rules merit two lessons? Almost. But at WGS we will devote to it one lesson, a private study assignment and short feedback - if only to vary our style of teaching and learning for 90 minutes. We shall see how pupils deal with normative economics. Recommended.

The pack is also suitable for general studies or adult groups keen to understand global issues.

Richard Young, Wood Green School, Witney.

Copyright Economics and Business Education Association Autumn 2002
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