A promising role play on EPAs

The role play is called //weltweithandeln (//worldwide acting) and deals with negotiating EPAs. It is a play for 25-40 participants. The roles are:

• European Commission (+ 5 people)
• European Farmer Union (+ 3 people)
• European Clothing Industry (+ 3 people)
• European NGO (+ 2 people)
• South East Africa Group (SADC with Botswana, Tanzania and Namibia) (+ 3 people)
• West Africa Group (Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana) (+ 3 people)
• African Cotton Industry (+ 2 people)
• African Chicken Industry (+ 2 people)
• African NGO (+ 2 people)
• Journalists (+ 3 people)

The role play takes a full day (from 10.00 A.M. to 17.00 P.M.). It is performed in three stages:

1) Preparation (introduction to the play, getting informed on EPAs, forming a strategy within your group) 2½ hours

--Lunch 45 minutes—

2) Actual play (press conference, informal talks, negotiations amongst African groups and with the EU, press conference to reveal the results) 2¾ hours

--Short break 15 minutes—

3) Reflection (evaluation of the play and of the outcomes of the negotiations) ¾ hours

The written material provides background information (‘What’s the key issue in the role play?’), aims, an overview of the roles, an example of one such role (Namibia), a time schedule, an overview of materials and number of rooms needed. The written material is accompanied by a CD. The CD contains all the role descriptions, play instructions, an EPA-dictionary and alternatives endings of the role play day.

(The German version can be downloaded for free at http://www.einewelt-sachsen.de/downloads/planspiel.pdf)