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Integrated Humanities (S4-5)
WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference
Learning and Teaching Activities (Students’ version)
Learning objectives:
Suggested learning activity:
Target:
To
understand
the
advantages
and
disadvantages brought about by the World
Trade Organization (WTO) and economic
globalization through role play.
World forum
Students of Integrated Humanities (S4-5)
Expected learning outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Distinguish among facts, opinions and reasoned judgments in the debate on the
WTO and economic globalization.
Listen to and read the information on the debate related to the WTO and
economic globalization critically.
Evaluate the impact of the WTO and economic globalization.
Use appropriate means to inform, persuade and argue.
Understand and respect different opinions, viewpoints, values and attitudes.
Scenario
The host invites people from different sectors to put forward their views at this
world forum, including government officials, scholars, investors, small-scale
farmers, workmen, representatives of non-governmental organizations, etc. The
theme of the forum is: The WTO and Economic Globalization: Are they a
Blessing or a Disaster?”
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Preparatory work before the activities:
1.
2.
3.
Students should have some basic knowledge of economic globalization and the
WTO.
Students playing different roles should study the related articles before the
activities. Other students should summarily read all the other articles, in order to
fill in the worksheets and air different opinions during the debate.
View the TV program City Forum in order to see how to participate in a forum.
Role Play:
1.
Host
• Adopt a neutral attitude. You are mainly responsible for conducting the
discussion smoothly.
•
2.
Briefly introduce the proceedings of the forum and the participants at the
forum.
Two scholars
(a) One scholar supports economic globalization
• Describe the benefits of the WTO to the economy.
• Article 1 – World Trade Organization, “10 benefits of the WTO trading
system”
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/10ben_e/10b00_e.htm
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(b) The other scholar speaks against economic globalization
• Describe the disadvantages brought about by globalization of economy.
• Article 2 – 《反全球化：另一種全球化》 (Chinese only)
http://www.people.com.cn/BIG5/jinji/36/20010111/376512.html
OR
• NewsBatch, “Globalization, Free Trade and Foreign Aid”
http://www.newsbatch.com/globalization.htm
3.
Worker on the mainland
Describe how you suffer while you are working to manufacture toys for
McDonald’s.
• Article 3 – Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee, “McDonald’s Toys:
•
Do they manufacture fun or more exploitation?”
http://www.geocities.com/mc_shame/re1.htm
4.
Small-scale farmers planting coffee beans in Brazil
• Describe in the first person how you feel about your extremely low income
when compared to the price of coffee sold to the consumer.
• Article 4 – Oxfam, Hong Kong 《樂施會無窮校園專題文章：咖啡的全球
貿易》 (Chinese only)
http://www.cyberschool.oxfam.org.hk/search.php?search_mode=simple&top
ic=3
OR
•
Oxfam, “Make Trade Fair – the issues – coffee”
http://www.maketradefair.com/en/index.php?file=coffee
_chain_home.htm&cat=2&subcat=3&select=1
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5.
Multi-national coffee corporation owner
Emphasize the contributions of multi-national corporations to customers and
society.
• Article 5 – Starbucks Corporation, “Corporate social responsibility 2004
annual report”
http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/csrannualreport.asp
•
6.
Government officials
• Support economic globalization and emphasize the importance of economic
globalization to Hong Kong. Refute the arguments against globalization.
• Article 6 – Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of
the People’s Republic of China, 《第二次的「世貿香港部長級會議傳媒工
作坊」工商及科技局局長致辭全文》 (Chinese only)
http://www.info.gov.hk/cib/chtml/pdf/speech2/speech_c_2005_08_13.PDF
OR
• Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the
People’s Republic of China, “Speech by Secretary for Commerce, Industry
and Technology on Trade and Poverty”
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200506/28/06280224.htm
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7.
Duties of other students
• Note down the main points made in the speeches and fill in the worksheet.
• According to the information you read, raise questions to the speakers
during the discussion or supplement the opinions expressed and invite the
class to probe into the issue more deeply.
8.
Conclusion
The teacher should lead the discussion.
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Integrated Humanities (S4-5) Worksheet
WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference
According to the speeches of the various representatives, fill in the major benefits and
costs of the WTO and economic globalization separately, and point out the
perspectives from which the representatives raise their arguments.
WTO and Economic Globalization
Benefits
Costs
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