Brussels’ World Simulation Negociation Simulation and Game Learning in European Policy Process

Project acronym: B’sWS

Topics: game learning, educational digital tools, professional skills, European Union

Disciplinary fields: law, finance, political sciences, communication and information sciences

Summary: Based on the heuristic virtues of a serious game in the study of the concrete way in which international organisations function, Bs’WS is designed as an innovative learning module for conducting negotiations at the European Union. With a reputation for the effective, original link it provides between consolidating fundamental knowledge and the acquisition of professional skills, the Game Learning teaching method is used here to delve into the consultations at work in the production of European decisions.
From October to January, Master’s students participating in Bs’WS will work in teams to define and defend the position of one of the “stakeholders” in EU the policy process. Each team takes on one the “roles” : legislative players (European Commission, EU Council of Ministers, European Parliament); experts with the European Commission and Parliament; lobbyists or representatives of special interests registered with EU institutions; spokespeople for NGOs recognised and involved in draft legislation; members of think tanks specialised in European public affairs; international journalists covering European negotiations.

The “scenario” prepared by the coordinators is disclosed at the start of the programme. The “roles” are distributed according to the students’ field of specialisation. Lastly, in the teams, the students’ mission is to draw up a “position paper” and then to defend their objectives during discussion rounds and at the final plenary session. A “college of European experts” including university specialists, European decision-making practitioners, political authorities and specialised journalists accompany the students throughout the week, proposing workshops, major conferences and coaching, and then siting on the jury at the final plenary sessions. The positions, briefing notes and meetings are posted and monitored on a dedicated digital platform as the simulation progresses.

Project interlocutor: Philippe ALDRIN, Croyance, Histoire, Espace, Régulation Politique et Administration – CHERPA (EA 4261)

Project duration: 10/01/2018 – 09/30/2020

Call for proposal: Académie d’Excellence 2017

Photography credits: Photo by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash

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