Global Survivor 2010

It's a quiet, cool night, and a small group of men has set out from their refugee camp to gather firewood. Suddenly, almost from nowhere, five rebel soldiers, guns and ammunition strapped to their uniforms, burst out at them and begin shouting in a strange, forceful dialect.

The men are shocked into submission while one of the rebels translates the instructions of their leader: "You are in our territory! Get out and don't come back, or we will kill you!"

Just as they prepare to turn and run, the men are gripped with fear yet again, as the soldiers grab one of their group and drag him away, out of sight. They listen anxiously in the dark to the sound of a struggle, then a cry, a gunshot that splits the quiet night, and then...silence. The captured man never returns.

It is a sober, stunned group that walks quickly back to the refugee camp to report on what has just happened.

This is a scene that is replayed in refugee camps on a regular basis. Yet in this instance, the 'refugees' were participants in Crossroads' Global Survivor 2010, and the 'camp' consisted of shanty dwellings that they had built themselves that night at Crossroads' site in the Gold Coast, Tuen Mun. While the fear they felt was real, they knew it was only a faint reflection of the gut-wrenching terror and desperation felt by people in real refugee camps, or battling poverty on a daily basis.

Global Survivor is an annual event where Hong Kong corporate leaders choose to undergo a 24 hour simulation experience in which they are placed, in simulated form, under the kind of oppression that many people in poverty and conflict zones live every day. It is a sobering experience for participants, who are given a new perspective on the dilemmas, tragedies, heartbreaking choices and hopelessness of chronic poverty.

The intrepid 'survivors' this March included the CEO of Cathay Pacific Tony Tyler, fashion designer Barney Cheng, Steve Marcopoto, President of Turner Broadcasting, Asia, and other Hong Kong executives. All were challenged to continue finding ways the corporate world can be a powerful force for change in the battle against world poverty.

"There is no substitute for experience! This has given me a taste of what so many fellow humans have to live through."
Tony Tyler, Cathay Pacific

"I was so unaware of many of the elements we experienced and the sheer length of time refugees must cope with these conditions...I would strongly recommend this as an opportunity to learn, reflect and consider how you as a privileged, blessed person can give something back."
Steve Marcopoto, Turner Broadcasting, Asia

"I hadn't really thought about how poverty is such hard work - that you have to sprint constantly just to stay in the same place - or worse."
Gavin Coates, Earthy Cartoons

For more photos from the event click here. For enquiries about participating in next year's Global Survivor event, or any of our other simulation activities, e-mail lifex@crossroads.org.hk or call  +852 2272 9396, or read more  by clicking here.