Introduction

The simulation is a hands-on approach to the Foundation course in Social Development and Planning Management/Development Management MA courses. Over a period of two weeks by playing roles of different Venezuelian and international leaders, organisations and media outlets, students will experience some of the dilemmas and issues involved in development in the Third world.

We will deal with issues arising out of the political and social crisis in Venezuela. In reflecting on our actions we'll ask ourselves to what extent does the structure of Venezeulian society and economy determine the political acts of individuals and to what extent do these acts themselves determine the structure. Students will also gain a better understanding of issues and theories in development studies by reflecting on their own experiences in the simulation.

Students must choose a role either individually or as a team, and will be notified by E-mail of their role.

Choosing a Role:

1. Go to the Simulation Portal (http://www.simplay.net/venz).
2. click on [Choosing a Role].
3. Tick the "Entering as a Team" box ONLY IF you already have a partner or team. If you do not have a partner or team leave that box empty.
4. Fill in all the required information ( For Partners or Team: fill all team members info and only one submission per team.)
5. MUST HAVE, AND MAKE SURE, (all) email address(es) is(are) correct - that is where notification of the results of your bid for a role will be sent - make sure you type it accurately.
6. Provide a preferred username and password in the appropriate text areas.
7. Go to the list of roles.
8. Place a 1, 2, or 3 in the boxes next to the role to indicate your order of preference.
9. If you have any additional comments or information you want to convey to the Simulation Coordinator write it in the text area provided.
10. Finally review the information you provided
11. click the [Submit] button - a page will open with the information you entered
12. READ CAREFULLY and MAKE SURE THE INFORMATION IS CORRECT (especially the email)
13. If the information is correct
14. You will be notified by E-mail of your role

Practice Sessions:
Students doing the simulation must attend the practice sessions devoted to explaining the web-site and the object and rules of the simulation before it begins. The practice session will be held in:

Role Profile:
Prior to the start of the simulation students choose or are allocated roles (see Choosing A Role above).

Each role is played by a team of 2 students who jointly research their role and then write up a Role Profile (300 words.) In essence it is the public face that the role wants the world to see. In other words it is a brief summary of who the role is: past performance, current issues (agenda), declared interests and objectives, and a brief policy statement of what actions will be taken to secure these objectives. More help can be found once you login into the simulation site (see "Role Profile" by clicking the Question Mark (?) next to your role's name under "Help Files").

This is to be submitted on the web-site the a day before the simulation begins so that other players can find out information about that role. If the role has a secret or hidden agenda, it should not be put in the role profile but sent by the internal simulation email system (sim-mail) to the moderators

The simulation begins with a Scenario to which the different roles react. The Scenario, written up by the lecturers in-charge, is set up in accordance with real world events adding fictional (or potentially plausible future - "what if...") events. For example it could be set around the possibility of a military coup in Indonesia hoping to stimulate the various actors in the simulation to ponder upon the repercussions of such a possibility and to provide likely responses from the perspective of their role (see "Scenario" in the Help Files -click (?) ).

The response to the scenario of course depends on the particular role being played as defined in the Role Profile (see above). Roles respond publicly through the media, through the institutional forums in which they participate, or privately through the sim-mail and the on-line chat. The response must take into account what the role is trying to achieve - weigh up the costs, benefits, dangers and opportunity that each situation lends itself for reaching the goals of the role. TACTICAL TIPS: (1) Situate and manoeuvre the agenda of others so that they pursue your goals - it will place you in a better position to achieve them. (2) Take the initiative; create situations that require others to respond in ways favourable to your goals - it will enhance your position in the game.

Game objectives:
The aim of the game for the students is to reach the objectives they set out in their Role Profile and enhance the position of their role in the game. They do so by contacting relevant players through the E-mail and on-line Chat systems, through the Forums and through the Media, utilising diplomacy, bargaining, threat, coercion etc., as warranted by the specific status and position of their role ie. playing in character.

The simulation ends with a face-to-face conference (Monday, October 11), like a UN General Assembly meeting. Prior to the conference each team submits on the web a Position Paper (200 words due Friday, October 8) outlining 3 major issues they want to discuss (see "Position Paper in the "Help Files, Resources & Links" under "Help Files"). At the conference the teams present their positions and negotiate agreements to resolve (where possible) any outstanding issues arising during the simulation.

The Conference will be held on Monday, 11th of October (you will be advised as to the exact time and location). The agenda for the conference will be determined by the Position Papers of the different roles.

At least one team member from each team should attend to present their position paper and negotiate - though it is highly reccomended that all attend. If none of the team members can attend - you must organize one of your allies during the simulation to present your paper and negotiate on your behalf. The Media roles will present a report on the conference instead of a Position Paper.

After the conference each individual student is invited to submit a Reflective Role Summary (at least 300 words, due Friday October 22), which is an evaluation of:

1. The performance of the role they played during the simulation - how well did the role do?
   (50 words)
2. Their personal performance in playing that role - How well did you do personally in playing that role? what would you have done differently? what problems did you encounter
   (50 words)
3. To what extent was the simulation useful in understanding events in the real world?
   (200 words)

(See Role Summary Guidelines in the Help Files -click (?) )