COED

Council of Economic Development

MISSION FILE
 TASK REQUIREMENT

This challenge invites you to propose solution ideas to future global problems.

[ Investigate Thoroughly ]

Read the problem description carefully to get a sense of the problem. Deepen your

understanding of the situation by doing secondary research. Remember to explore different

aspects of the situation but do not be overly ambitious by trying to address all aspects. You

should exercise critical thinking and focus on key factors.

[ Ideate Creatively ]

Create an artefact to address the solution. Be bold and creative! The solution need not be

bound by the limitations of existing technology since this is a future problem.

[ Implement Extensively ]

Artefact can fall into the following categories:

1. Static artefact (E.g. infographic, newsletter, website, app)

2. Dynamic artefact (E.g. publicity video, music video)

3. 3D-modelling (E.g. Autodesk, Minecraft)

All the best!

Reinvent. Uncover. Synergise. Harness

 PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

A plan to strengthen global cooperation

in order to minimise conflicts in economic trade

Having witnessed the devastation humans caused to their home planet A.I., the clones are
determined to threaten what humanity holds dear. After the end of the major world wars, the
colossal loss of lives drove countries to continuously seek to establish diplomatic relations with
one another. While conflicts still exist in parts of the world, humans have largely managed to
live in harmony.

Regional alliances, globalisation, trade agreements are few examples of successful

collaborations between different countries in the world. However, the clones will no longer sit
back and allow countries to flourish. Realising that countries are increasingly interdependent,
clones have worked to create paranoia and distrust between populations. Technology has
become a double-edged sword, with nanobots insidiously introduced into the population,
infecting the world’s greatest minds and leaders. They spout divisive rhetoric and pit countries
against each other, particularly in the economic sphere where a rampant spread of
economic protectionism was machinated. These nanobots are also able to infiltrate
cryptocurrencies and e-payment, resulting in distrust over the use of technology through
online banking services. Countries turn increasingly inwards, refusing to trade freely with
others, thus disrupting global trade routes and decreasing the quality of life for everyone in
the world.
In this context, how can we strengthen global cooperation in order to minimise conflicts in
global economic trade?

Key Guiding Questions:

- How do we improve communication between world leaders?
- How do we showcase the benefits of international cooperation to develop goodwill
between the different countries in the world?
- How do we deter efforts that sabotage international cooperation between members
of the international community?

Additional Background Information:

US-China Trade War
In 2016, the inauguration of Ex-President Donald Trump ushered in a mindset of economic
protectionism in the US. The US engaged in a trade war with China, and placed duties, tariffs,
and taxes on Chinese goods and companies in efforts to diminish China’s economic power.
For example, the US once banned Huawei, a prominent Chinese company, over concerns
that they would use 5G technology to spy on the US. However, trade wars are ultimately
detrimental to involved parties as trade is diverted away from them after heightened prices.
It is estimated that the US-China trade war cost the US economy around 300,000 jobs.

Economic protectionism
When countries restrict international trade via tariffs, import quotas, and a variety of other
measures to help domestic industries. Economists generally warn against protectionism as it is
harmful for countries in the long run.