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Students learn economic benefits of globalization
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Last Friday, local high school students acted as mock-representatives from 94 nations coming together at Boise State with a common purpose – learning to compete in the ever-changing global marketplace. But instead of business suits, most of them wore T-shirts.
“This started 10 years ago at Borah High School with a single classroom activity. It grew from there and BSU supported it, and our goal is to reach a million kids in five years,” said Leon Maynard, president of the International Economic Summit, which organizes summits like the one at BSU in order to give high school students a chance to experience the international marketplace.
Maynard said the goal of the event is to teach students about globalization, international economics and the importance of working together with other countries.
Ninety-four teams each comprised of five students competed against each other in the day-long contest Friday, with each team representing a different country. Their ultimate goal was to win the contest by improving the standard of living for their country.
“The competition is fun and they are really competing hard,” Maynard said. “They are just as into it as if it were a basketball game.”
Students wore T-shirts with their county’s name or homemade national costumes, and decorated tables with photo displays and facts about their nations. Some painted their faces with their nation’s flag. Shouts of, “Selling energy! Selling electronics!” and hurried runs to the banks located on the edges of the flag-draped room added to the loud and festive
international atmosphere.
Contestants came from five area high schools: Capital, Borah, Bishop Kelly, Nampa and Meridian Academy of the Arts.
The students competed in eight main events in order to gain enough points for an overall win.
Each team took two tests, one in geography and one in economics, and submitted an economic proposal for debate.
The top 10 proposals, with relevant global topics like climate change, pollution and illegal drug and human trafficking, were then chosen for a debate in front of the other teams.
Teams also participated in a trade alliance activity, a global trading session and an international banking session. The winning team received Bronco gear and a gift certificate.
Points were also awarded for best national costume and best table display. Kenya won the costume contest and Tanzania won the best display award with a giant cardboard giraffe that was so tall his head kept flopping over.
Students said they learned more about global economics.
“I learned how trade and alliances affect other countries,” Jessica Dole, a senior from Borah, said. Dole said that free trade is good for consumers because they get cheaper goods, “but it can also take jobs.”
Richard Wilson, also a senior from Borah, observed that “Trade alliances are hard to keep. People try to back out; you need to get things in writing.” Wilson was part of the winning team, which represented Monaco and racked up 167 total points, four more than runner-up Argentina with 163.
Idaho Economic Summit Operations Manager Justin Larson said the summit is part of the Idaho Council on Economic Education. “[It's] a non profit organization educating students in economics. They work with both the College of Business and Economics and the College of Education,” Larson said.
The event aids the university in recruitment, Larson said. “We get high school seniors on to our campus to come see it and have fun here,” he said.
Maynard hopes the students who participate gain an international perspective.
“I hope they learn we live in a very small world and their lives will be impacted more and more by other countries,” Maynard said.
JENNIFER SAWMILLER
Lead News Writer
