Development of simulation games

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Development of simulation games

• Sinaia
• February 2006
• Boris Kostov

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New 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

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Managing 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

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Managing diplomatic complexity

• Political dimensions changes
• New international agenda calls for integrated
  approach
• Impact of information technology
• Rationalization of working process more
  accountability demanded

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Characteristics of simulation games

• Learning by doing
• Participant centered
• Clear assignment, clear objectives
• Focused on skills, attitudes, awareness
• Teacher as tutor, facilitator
• Small group dynamic

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General 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

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Working forms in interactive training

• Dossier assignments
• Case studies
• Debate sessions
• Panel discussions
• Working groups
• Interview carrousel
• Debriefing reflection sessions

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Simulating 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

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Development of negotiation simulation game

• Research
• Drafting process
• Educational aspects
• Organizational aspects
• Manual
• Implementation

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Drafting process designing the negotiation
setting

• Scenario text
• Rules
• Mandates/instructions
• Documentation set
• Guidance

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Drafting 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

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Drafting 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

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Simulation 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

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Simulation 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

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Organizational 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

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Organizational aspects

• Create realistic negotiation setting flags,
  name tags, team headquarters
• Provide instructions for writing of official
  documents
• Apply formal procedures during plenary sessions

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Assessment

• 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

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Evaluation

• Students feedback during the debriefing
  discussions
• Feedback forms