Title: Development of simulation games
1Development of simulation games
- Sinaia
- February 2006
- Boris Kostov
2New requirements for people dealing with
International Relations
- Diplomats have to be better prepared for policy
coordination and networking - Preparing for dealing with multidisciplinary
topics and policy dossiers
3Managing diplomatic complexity
- Changing relationship between the ministry of
foreign affairs and other ministries and services - Changing perspective on the international
environment bilateral and multilateral
diplomacy - Changing impact of non state actors in IR
- Changing communication with foreign civic
societies
4Managing diplomatic complexity
- Political dimensions changes
- New international agenda calls for integrated
approach - Impact of information technology
- Rationalization of working process more
accountability demanded
5Characteristics of simulation games
- Learning by doing
- Participant centered
- Clear assignment, clear objectives
- Focused on skills, attitudes, awareness
- Teacher as tutor, facilitator
- Small group dynamic
6General dilemmas in designing simulation games
- Decide on the contents
- Decide on the diversity of working forms
- Decide on the costs and imputes to realize
interactive training - Role-playing creates a real-time simulated
environment
7Working forms in interactive training
- Dossier assignments
- Case studies
- Debate sessions
- Panel discussions
- Working groups
- Interview carrousel
- Debriefing reflection sessions
8Simulating reality in multinational negotiations
- Objectives
- Understanding the complexity of multiparty
negotiations - Learning to handle the negotiation life cycle
- Reflection on personal negotiation and
communication skills
9Development of negotiation simulation game
- Research
- Drafting process
- Educational aspects
- Organizational aspects
- Manual
- Implementation
10Drafting process designing the negotiation
setting
- Scenario text
- Rules
- Mandates/instructions
- Documentation set
- Guidance
11Drafting process designing negotiation positions
- Identify current (foreign) policy topic/problem
- You may break it into two three interlinked
themes - Set the agenda and identify sub-items
- Develop the points of potential disagreement
- Design a position matrix
- Develop teams positions (mandates) and some
plausible underscoring arguments for them
12Drafting process general requirements
- Scenario text should introduce the topics
- Positions must include common grounds
- Package should contain negotiation instructions
- Introduction of the government as external
actor in the negotiation process - optional
13Simulation game possible students' tasks
- Research the topic Internet, readings
- Analyze the mandate and elaborate negotiation
strategy - Write a position paper(diplomatic note,
communiqué, press release) - Prepare an opening statement
- Participate as negotiators in the game
14Simulation game possible students' tasks
- Draft a final communiqué, declaration, agreement
- Draft a press release for their own constituency
- Participate in a press conference
- Take part in the debriefing session
15Organizational aspects
- The problem of matching the size, length and
complexity of the simulation game - Balancing the timetable formal negotiations,
informal sessions, team meetings. - Managing the pace of the simulation game
16Organizational aspects
- Create realistic negotiation setting flags,
name tags, team headquarters - Provide instructions for writing of official
documents - Apply formal procedures during plenary sessions
17Assessment
- Feedback and debriefing
- Integrated assessment of various skills
negotiation and communication skills, reporting,
policy analysis, teamwork - Assessment criteria process or results
oriented, individual or group assessment
18Evaluation
- Students feedback during the debriefing
discussions - Feedback forms