Our Embassy offers an experiential approach to help you learn about the practical side of diplomacy and develop your negotiation and conflict management skills. Participants can experience how to negotiate and find mutually beneficial solutions to the serious problems of today’s world in a small group guided role play session, called diplomatic simulation.
Among the elements of the Embassy On the Road outreach package, a diplomatic simulation can be requested via an online form, with a program delivery date between 1 September – 30 November, 2022.
The program is free of charge, and not only high schools and universities may apply, but also any other community, club or non-governmental organization.
Themes and Language of Diplomatic Simulations
The topics “International Nuclear Crisis” and “International HIV/AIDS Crisis” are available in English and Hungarian. Other topics are available in English only:
- International Migration Crisis,
- Freshwater Crisis,
- International Wildlife Trafficking,
- Border Security,
- Peacebuilding,
- Counterfeit Trade,
- Crisis in the Oceans
- Ebola Crisis.
- The Barbary Pirate Hostage Crisis,
- The Spanish and American conflict of 1898,
- The Suez Canal Crisis.
Program duration: 90-120 minutes
The simulations were developed by the National Museum of American Diplomacy.
What can participants learn from simulation games that they might not necessarily learn elsewhere, for example in school?
The interesting thing about simulation games is that the participants are active players, they take a position, they negotiate and try to solve a diplomatic crisis. Think of it a bit like a role-playing game, everyone is participating as a member of a particular organization and they are trying to find a solution to a fictional situation, such as an environmental or health crisis.
Although it is very important to teach them the facts in history or geography lessons, these games allow them to test their knowledge in real life and experience situations that they may encounter in their future work. Even if they will not be working in the field of diplomacy, such an experience can be useful, as these crises and situations are about issues that affect all of us, so they have an impact on everyone’s life, and it can be useful for everyone to better understand how decisions are made.
“You negotiate everyday with your siblings, with your roommate, with your parents, to get something you want. So I think this is just applying it to more of an international and diplomatic spectrum and I think I will keep this for the rest of my life.”
What is the advantage of simulation games over reading or watching videos as a way of obtaining information?
Knowledge gained through experience is the most lasting, which is why these games are very effective in developing negotiation and conflict management skills. They also provide practical information about the work and role of different governmental and non-governmental organizations (such as the U.S. State Department, the UN, NGOs, etc.). And they can do all this together, with active participation, as opposed to reading or watching a video which only allow for a much more solitary and one-way transfer of information.
What is the reaction of the participants during and after the game?
The beginning of the games is always the most difficult, when the situation or the rules are still a bit unfamiliar, but after the first 10-15 minutes they get into the swing of things and after that it is hard to stop the negotiations.
“What I enjoyed the most was that the simulation game was very realistic. Everyone was really into it and gave it their all.”
After the simulation game, perhaps the most common reaction is that they had no idea how difficult it is to take a position while taking into account the interests and demands of others. One student participant said that she now had an incredible respect for all ambassadors because she understood how difficult it can be to have to watch every word you say, making sure that you do not harm anyone’s interests.
“I learned that it is not that hard to cooperate after all, we need to find compromises.”
How to Apply
Please use the diplomatic simulations online application form.
When deciding on the proposed event date, please take into consideration that the earliest the program can take place is 3 weeks after the request is sent.
We also encourage people living in small towns to apply, we will do our best to get the “Embassy On the Road” and reach your town as well. All programs are free of charge.
Between March and July 2022 we were invited to and delivered diplomatic simulations in the following settlements in Hungary: Kisújszállás, Hajdúböszörmény, Eger, Hatvan, Pápa, Veszprém, Fonyód, Balatonfüred, Kaposvár, Barcs, Debrecen, and Budapest.
Testimonials
Student participants left us the following feedback:
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- “What I enjoyed the most was that the simulation game was very realistic. Everyone was really into it and gave it their all.”
- “I learned that it is not that hard to cooperate after all, we need to find compromises.”
- “I learned that it takes a lot of time for countries to reach an agreement. I enjoyed that we could try these situations ourselves.”
- “It was not a boring class duty, it was fun and we learned a lot. I liked that we had to work in teams.”
- “I liked speaking English. I learned new words and interesting facts and really enjoyed the game.”
We accept applications on a rolling basis. Develop your negotiation and conflict management skills and apply through the diplomatic simulations online application form!
