Experience the dynamics of international cooperation through game play!
Overview
The Trading Game is a workshop originally developed in the 1970s by the UK-based NGO Christian Aid. Its unique, strategy-based gameplay has been well received and continues to be conducted worldwide today.
Through this immersive experience, participants will simulate real-world economic decision-making, negotiations, and strategic interactions within the global trade system. By engaging in post-game reflections, they will gain a broader perspective on how economic systems operate and interact.
| 📂 Category | Initiative |
| 📌 Keywords | Social Issues, Systems Thinking, Negotiation, Strategic Decision-Making, Teamwork |
| 🎯 Objectives | ・Understand the structure and decision-making mechanisms of the global economy through practical experience. ・Develop negotiation and strategic thinking skills. ・Enhance teamwork and collaboration abilities. |
| 🌐 Language | Japanese & English |
| 👥 Target Participants | Graduate & Undergraduate Students |
| 🗓 Format | Single session（3-hour in-person） |
| ✅ Past & Upcoming Sessions | Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 17:00-20:00 Held annually since 2019 |
| 📍 Venue | S4-203, Ookayama |
| 🌟 Recommended for | ・Those who want to take the first step in understanding international issues and find actionable ways to engage. ・Those interested in global trade, economic systems, and negotiation strategies. ・Those who enjoy hands-on, experiential learning activities. |
| 📊 Points | 3 points (Points to be awarded to students enrolled in the courses for credits. Please refer to the syllabus for details.) |
| 🎟️ Capacity | 30 participants |
Main Content
- Introduction
- Overview of the game’s objectives and themes.
- Team Assignment
- Randomly assigned groups.
- Rules Explanation
- Understanding gameplay mechanics and strategic goals.
- Game Execution
- Participants engage in simulated trade and decision-making.
- Post-Game Reflection
- Reviewing experiences from multiple perspectives.
- Discussions in both assigned teams and mixed groups to explore diverse viewpoints.
Facilitator
Kenshu Kamura
Representative Director of NPO “Ba to Tsunagari Lab home’s vi.”
Kenshu has conducted extensive research and practice in transforming conflicts and social constraints into opportunities for positive change. His interdisciplinary research covers conflict resolution, psychology, neuroscience, and indigenous teachings. He has led over 100 workshops annually, focusing on community development, education, and organizational innovation.
In 2015, he took a year-long sabbatical to travel the world, where he encountered the concept of “Teal Organizations.” This inspired him to establish ORG LAB (Ogurabo), a community dedicated to the evolution of organizations and society through experiential learning.
Past Event Records
Voices from Participants
- “Experiencing the Trade Game in a ToTAL course was eye-opening. A year later, I still recall the lessons I learned. Every student should experience this at least once.”
- “On my second time playing, I realized that even if one person understands the best strategy, success is impossible without cooperation.”
Event Report
Contact Faculty
Yuri Matsuzaki, Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Academy for Leadership
📩 matsuzaki.y.77a9 [at] m.isct.ac.jp
