SLAVERY, poverty and chocolate were focused on by Malvern Girls' College pupils at an educational day organised in association with Christian Aid.

They explored issues of slavery in chocolate production and took part in role-playing exercises. These included imagining they were a government advisor in the Philippines dealing with sweatshops and multinational companies, pretending to be a World Bank official, a rice farmer and a representative of a poor country.

The pupils discussed what poverty is, why people are poor and ways to avoid being poor. They heard John Innes, a Christian Aid volunteer, speak about his recent visit to Kosovo and Serbia and were encouraged to make their voices heard and take action against poverty.

Claire Walker, head of humanities at the college, said: "The students really enjoyed the day. It gave them a chance to find out about some of the more controversial actions of the world's leading companies and their effects on poorer countries."