A Simulation of Conflict and Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula

Though simulations are currently over for the 2012-2013 academic year, our next simulation will occur early in the fall semester of the 2013-2014 academic year. Focused primarily on security and humanitarian policy from a United States prospective, the simulation will explore issues of diplomacy and humanitarian ethics in North Korea.

Simulations are generally held on Saturdays between 12 – 5pm, depending on the length of the simulation and the number of participants. Participants are asked to dress “business casual.”

Every simulation is different, but in general there are a few basic rules:

• Don’t communicate outside official channels. Official channels include the email address supplied to your room or position, and direct communication at officially scheduled meetings. Unofficial channels include talking in the halls, calling, or texting with members of other groups.
• Email Control to take any actions, to ask for more information, or to request a meeting (individual rules may vary per simulation).
• Always follow instructions from Control. Following Control’s instructions ensures that everyone has a fun time during the simulation.

Here are a few suggestions to help you have fun and be successful during the simulation:

• If you are working in a group (most people are), try to include everyone in the room in discussion and decision-making.
• Utilize all the resources you can. The most successful groups often keep track of simulation proceedings on a whiteboard, while using a projector to map the region, while doing research on a different computer.
• At the beginning of the simulation, figure out who in your room is responsible for coordination with other groups, interpreting new injects, making decisions, communicating with Control, etc.
• Miscommunications between groups are the most common issues in simulations. With many groups in a simulation, its easy for a group to get taken “out of the loop” accidentally. If you can, try to keep track of who knows what, and make sure everyone is informed when they need to be, so you all can be on the same page when you deal with the situation.