UN Global Compact Dilemma Game

Businesses have a significant impact on helping to raise living standards and uphold human rights. By helping businesses to understand the connection between their activities and the impact it has on the world, the lives of millions of people – who work for businesses, buy their products and live in the communities in which they operate – can be improved.

The Global Compact has over 8,000 member organizations in over 130 countries. In the six months since the game was launched, 500 free games have been donated to members of the Global Compact and hundreds more purchased by large multinational companies. In keeping with the aim of the game to reach as wide an audience as possible, there is no license fee to use it. Translation of the game into local languages is encouraged and the design templates will be provided to companies who want to produce copies of the game locally.

Many businesses accept they have responsibilities that encompass a wide group of stakeholders and issues but need guidance on how to act. Other businesses do not see how they are relevant to them. The game shows businesses why such issues are relevant and what they can do. It does this through the use of real business cases and practical examples. The game offers players the opportunity to role-play complex situations in a safe environment and to explore stakeholders’ expectations. They are also asked to self-assess their actions. This type of learning has a proven significant impact on players and empowers them to take action. As no specialist knowledge is required to play the game, it can educate a wide variety of business people. Businesses benefit from greater stakeholder satisfaction, reduced business risks and new business opportunities. The environment and society benefit as negative impacts are reduced.