Welcome to (another) immersive conflict simulation, focusing on international mediation. In this session, we will apply our knowledge developed so far in the course and experience the challenges of mediation, in two Parts.

Part I (60 minutes):

You are members of a UN inter-agency task team that has been monitoring the crisis in Hopepays, a medium sized country that experiences serious election violence every five years and on-going power struggles between the elections. Read background about Hopepays here.

Senior managers are considering options for UN peacemaking / mediation. Your task is to prepare and present an analysis, prognosis, the UN’s priority objectives and a set of recommendations for peacemaking. You should recommend three priority actions for early peacemaking by the UN.
You will have 30 minutes to meet in small groups to prepare a brief report. Each group will present its report, in about 5 minutes, to the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs (played by the instructor), who will put some probing questions to you.
When this exercise has been completed, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs will offer reflections on the presentations and invite the groups to reflect on their own presentations.

Following a break, Part II (75 minutes) will begin:

A few months after the briefing of the UN Under-Secretary-General, the UN inter-agency task team has been mandated to begin a mediation in Hopepays. The situation in Hopepays has deteriorated significantly. Your priorities are to begin a successful mediation, by convincing President Fardello and Rebel Leader Nulvi to participate in the mediation process. You will be provided with background notes on Fardello and Nulvi.
Your task is to prepare for your first meeting with Fardello / Nulvi (one group of students will meet Fardello, the other group will meet Nulvi). You will have 30 minutes to meet in small groups to identify your objectives for your respective meetings and develop an initial strategy. You will then have a chance to apply your strategy in a meeting with Fardello / Nulvi (played by the instructor).
When this exercise has been completed, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs will invite the groups to reflect on their experiences.