Our Diplomacy Simulation

How does a Diplomatic Simulation work? A diplomatic simulation is a collaborative learning experience during which students step into the role of a real-life diplomat. The U.S. Diplomacy Center’s Diplomatic Simulations are designed for 15-30 participants. Students receive a scenario related to a global issue, which could be real world or hypothetical, current or historic. Within each simulation, there are five to six stakeholder groups (e.g., foreign ministries, NGOs, and international organizations), each with different perspectives and priorities. Students role-play these stakeholders in small teams of three to five. Under set time constraints, the groups are challenged to negotiate a peaceful solution to a crisis in the scenario. Students use the information provided in the simulation packet to develop their group’s 3 policy positions and defend or modify their choices in real time. The simulations have no right or wrong actions or end point because it is the process (rather than the result) that holds the most value for the students. The learning experience develops organically as students engage in the simulation. Once the simulation has been completed, students are encouraged to express how their views on diplomacy have evolved as a result of the experience and to contemplate how they can apply diplomatic skills to their everyday lives.

The following Diplomacy Simulation is from the U.S. State Department’s National Museum of American Diplomacy “Discover Diplomacy” Simulations.

International Ebola Crisis

Detecting and Responding to a Public Health Emergency

The countries of Farfelu and Anyep are in the middle of an Ebola outbreak that has the potential to spread into more countries and across the globe. While the two countries share similar cultures, they are currently experiencing tense relations partly as a result of the growing outbreak. Farfelu has a large tribal population that widely relies on traditional medicine. These practices have been questioned by the neighboring country Anyep. Although Anyep has a more modern healthcare system, it is still seeing alarmingly high infection rates. The governments of these countries formed National Ebola Response Centers to coordinate a streamlined approach to the outbreak. However, recognizing that the outbreak will not slow without an internationally coordinated response, Anyep called for a meeting with Farfelu, the United States, the World Health Organization, and Doctors Without Borders. 

In this hypothetical scenario, students will have to collaborate to overcome cultural differences in order to stop the spread of Ebola in the region and prevent a global pandemic. The exercise will develop skills in composure, awareness, analysis, communication, management, creativity, leadership, and collaboration.

This simulation involves a hypothetical scenario but deals with the real world problem of increasingly scarce freshwater resources. You will role play a member of a delegation at an international meeting trying to negotiate a solution. The delegations are:

1. National Ebola Response Center of Farfelu
2. National Ebola Response Center of Anyep
3. U.S. Department of State
4. World Health Organization
5. Doctors Without Borders