A Conflict Resolution Game in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution Resource Center

By Tamar Palandjian, U.S. Fulbright Scholar to Armenia
September 12-16, 2005

At the Civil Society Institute
Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution Resource Center
Yerevan, ARMENIA

The mission was to resolve all conflicts. The goal was to achieve this without starting any wars. How possible is this? For the sixteen young Armenians who participated in this conflict resolution game, it was not only possible but quite feasible. From September 12-16, 2005, approximately sixteen young people participated in a conflict resolution game entitled “Nations: A Simulation Game in International Politics.”¹ Most of the participants referred to this game as the “Lostralia game”, as this was the name of the imaginary continent in which these conflicts took place. Lostralia is an imaginary continent with seven imaginary nation-states. The participants were split into these nation-states and were assigned one task- resolve all conflicts. Whether it was a land dispute, political or religious conflict or a disagreement over control of fishing waters, the participants needed to find ways to negotiate with one another in order to resolve their issues. The goal of this game is to understand the position of these actors within the conflicts. Every nation has its unique history, values and beliefs. The participants must adhere to these values and beliefs of their nations while simultaneously working to compromise and reach resolutions over their disputes. Thus, they must act out of the national interest and cannot betray this. In addition to the seven nations exists a national body known as the World Council. I, myself represented this body which acts as the mediator of all of these nations and works practically like the United Nations. Ultimately, every nation is required to report to the World Council.

The original case study of “Nations: A Simulation Game in International Politics” was written in English and published by Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy in Washington D.C. It has been translated into Armenian so that the participants could understand it. The game was also conducted in Armenian, as this was the language which was most appropriate for the participants.

In the end, all of the conflicts in the imaginary world of Lostralia were resolved. While waging war against another country was one of the ways in which the nations were able to resolve a conflict, in this particular instance not one of the nations chose to utilize this option. Most if not all conflicts among the nations were resolved and the participants were able to participate in diplomatic tactics as well as conduct economic trade activities.

To quote an opinion expressed by one of the participants (translated from Armenian to English) who explained, “ To me, the most important lesson learned from this game is that no matter what issue, no matter what problem, all of this is possible to resolve in a round table forum without the use of physical force.”

As the mediator of this game, the World Council is not involved in any of the conflicts and must remain unbiased throughout the entire process of the game. I stood back and observed from an “outsider perspective.” Initially, I never thought the participants would be so involved. I was actually taken aback to see how energetic and enthusiastic they were about this game. They wanted to conduct trade, communicate and engage with everyone as much as possible. Some of the participants knew one another before while others did not. In the end, it did not matter because this game brought together everyone. They not only shared stories and jokes, but they left the office hoping to see each other soon and seeking to continue the game outside of the Civil Society Institute’s office.

On Friday September 16th, what was supposed to be the last day, the participants shared their enthusiasm and desire to continue this game. They have proposed to establish one united government in which all of the nations would be involved in an institution like the United Nations. Thus, in the weeks to come they will not continue to play the simulation game but will seek to establish their own rules, their own world government in order to achieve peace.

As a Fulbright scholar, my research in Armenia is focused on studying the youth’s involvement in civil society groups such as Civil Society Institute and Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution Resource Center. I never thought I would become involved in actually fostering this connection. I have been in this country for a little over one month now and I am starting to realize that this Fulbright adventure has only just begun.

¹ Herzig, Michael and David Skidmore. “Nations: A Simulation Game in International Politics.” Pew Case Studies in International Affairs Case 169. Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Georgetown Univ. Washington D.C. 1995