Blog Post
Wealth distribution
- by J
- •
- 18 Jul, 2019
- •
Group
size: Big group 10+
Timescale: 1-2hrs
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar
What you need:
100 pennies
Board/ flip chart
Pens
Instructions: PART A The Scramble
1. Explain to participants that in this activity they will distribute the wealth and power of the world among themselves. This wealth is represented by the 100 pennies. There is only one rule no participant may touch another member of the group at any time.
2. Arrange the room so that participants have a fairly large area to play the game. Have participants stand or sit in a circle and scatter the pennies evenly in the middle of the circle. Withhold three participants from this part of the activity. Distribute mittens for some participants to wear but postpone discussion of reasons for this until debriefing. Note To emphasize that some start off with more than others consider giving three or four participants five extra pennies to begin with as well as providing them with special scooping shovels.
At the order of GO have participants (except the three withheld) gather as many pennies as possible without touching one another. Note Penalties for violations of this rule may be needed such as removal from the game or payment to the person touched.
3. After all the pennies have been collected have participants report their wealth to the class. Record participants names and a number of pennies on a board or chart paper under three
1) GREAT WEALTH AND POWER
(those with six or more pennies);
2) SOME WEALTH AND POWER (those with three to five pennies)
3) LITTLE WEALTH AND POWER (those with two or fewer pennies.)
4. Remind the group that these pennies represent their wealth and power in the world. The amount they possess will affect their capacity to satisfy their needs and wants. Those participants with six or more pennies will have their basic needs and most of their wants met; those with three to five pennies will have their basic needs met and those with two or fewer pennies will have difficulty surviving due to disease lack of education malnutrition and inadequate shelter.
5. Tell participants that they may if they wish give pennies to others; however they are not required to do so. Tell them that those who do share will be honoured as DONORS with their names placed on the board. Let them do this. Then ask for the names of those who gave away pennies and the amount each gave. List them on the board or chart entitled DONORS. Ask if anyone changed the category as a result of giving or receiving pennies and record these shifts on the chart.
6. Explain that some people in their country (and perhaps in their community) and in every country around the globe lack adequate necessities such as food education health care and shelter. Point out that others often in the same community or country are able to acquire almost everything they need and want.
PART B Creating Economic Fairness
1. Divide participants into groups according to the number of pennies they have. Distribute those three participants withheld from the original "scramble" randomly among the different groups. Make note of their reactions to being placed in one group rather than another but save discussion of their placement until the debriefing session.
2. Give each group the task of creating a plan for the fair distribution of the pennies the world's wealth). Each group should prepare to a) show why their plan is fair b) explain what needs to be done and c) describe what the group plans to do and why. Give the groups ten minutes to devise their plans.
3. Ask each group to appoint a spokesperson to explain their plan to the others and answer questions. After the plans have been presented and discussed announce that a vote will now be held on which plan to adopt.
4. When participants are ready to vote announce the following Participants with six or more pennies have five votes those with three to five pennies have two votes and those with two or fewer pennies have one vote. This strategy reinforces the fact that the distribution of power often reflects that of wealth.
Have participants vote and tabulate the results. Announce which plan is to be implemented. Carry out this plan redistributing the wealth if necessary.
Then discuss.
(HRRC1999)
Categories: Brain games
Communication
Environment
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Show respect
Express opinions
Participate
Acknowledge challenges
Explain consequences
Understand the role of power
Engage with democratic structures
Timescale: 1-2hrs
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar
What you need:
100 pennies
Board/ flip chart
Pens
Instructions: PART A The Scramble
1. Explain to participants that in this activity they will distribute the wealth and power of the world among themselves. This wealth is represented by the 100 pennies. There is only one rule no participant may touch another member of the group at any time.
2. Arrange the room so that participants have a fairly large area to play the game. Have participants stand or sit in a circle and scatter the pennies evenly in the middle of the circle. Withhold three participants from this part of the activity. Distribute mittens for some participants to wear but postpone discussion of reasons for this until debriefing. Note To emphasize that some start off with more than others consider giving three or four participants five extra pennies to begin with as well as providing them with special scooping shovels.
At the order of GO have participants (except the three withheld) gather as many pennies as possible without touching one another. Note Penalties for violations of this rule may be needed such as removal from the game or payment to the person touched.
3. After all the pennies have been collected have participants report their wealth to the class. Record participants names and a number of pennies on a board or chart paper under three
1) GREAT WEALTH AND POWER
(those with six or more pennies);
2) SOME WEALTH AND POWER (those with three to five pennies)
3) LITTLE WEALTH AND POWER (those with two or fewer pennies.)
4. Remind the group that these pennies represent their wealth and power in the world. The amount they possess will affect their capacity to satisfy their needs and wants. Those participants with six or more pennies will have their basic needs and most of their wants met; those with three to five pennies will have their basic needs met and those with two or fewer pennies will have difficulty surviving due to disease lack of education malnutrition and inadequate shelter.
5. Tell participants that they may if they wish give pennies to others; however they are not required to do so. Tell them that those who do share will be honoured as DONORS with their names placed on the board. Let them do this. Then ask for the names of those who gave away pennies and the amount each gave. List them on the board or chart entitled DONORS. Ask if anyone changed the category as a result of giving or receiving pennies and record these shifts on the chart.
6. Explain that some people in their country (and perhaps in their community) and in every country around the globe lack adequate necessities such as food education health care and shelter. Point out that others often in the same community or country are able to acquire almost everything they need and want.
PART B Creating Economic Fairness
1. Divide participants into groups according to the number of pennies they have. Distribute those three participants withheld from the original "scramble" randomly among the different groups. Make note of their reactions to being placed in one group rather than another but save discussion of their placement until the debriefing session.
2. Give each group the task of creating a plan for the fair distribution of the pennies the world's wealth). Each group should prepare to a) show why their plan is fair b) explain what needs to be done and c) describe what the group plans to do and why. Give the groups ten minutes to devise their plans.
3. Ask each group to appoint a spokesperson to explain their plan to the others and answer questions. After the plans have been presented and discussed announce that a vote will now be held on which plan to adopt.
4. When participants are ready to vote announce the following Participants with six or more pennies have five votes those with three to five pennies have two votes and those with two or fewer pennies have one vote. This strategy reinforces the fact that the distribution of power often reflects that of wealth.
Have participants vote and tabulate the results. Announce which plan is to be implemented. Carry out this plan redistributing the wealth if necessary.
Then discuss.
(HRRC1999)
Categories: Brain games
Communication
Environment
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Show respect
Express opinions
Participate
Acknowledge challenges
Explain consequences
Understand the role of power
Engage with democratic structures
