The concept

Around the world, democracy is under threat, buffeted by political and economic forces that inflame public opinion, challenge democratic institutions, and pressure democracy supporters and human rights defenders. When these conflicts come to a head, the actors in these dramas — government officials, opposition political leaders, human rights groups, student protesters, regional and international powers, and more — must make decisions in real time that may have significant implications for their country’s future, as well as their own individual safety and security and that of their families.

Drawing on its three decades of experience navigating such conflicts in hotspots around the world, and leveraging its experience developing public education programs, EWMI is piloting a U.S. high school-based simulation program that will allow students to play the roles of key actors in a democracy crisis as it unfolds. The scenarios for the simulations will be based on real actors in real countries.

The objectives of the program are threefold: (1) Build understanding among students about the ways in which democracy can come under threat; (2) Allow students to develop their problem solving, strategic communication, and negotiating skills; and (3) deepen the understanding of students of a particular country and region they may be unfamiliar with.

Before the simulation, each school team of 4-5 students will be provided background material about their assigned role/actor, the types of tools they use, and actions they have been known to take, and teams will be encouraged to carry out their own independent research in this regard in advance.

During the simulation each team will be based in a separate room in the simulation venue, with the ability to communicate with the other teams as they see fit. An independent moderator will observe each of the teams as they deliberate. The moderators will begin the simulation by informing each team of an unfolding event. The action will then unfold based on the decisions and actions of the teams, with the moderator resolving actions to keep advancing the flow of events and occasionally interjecting unexpected developments. The simulation will be structured so as to be completed in one day. At the conclusion of the simulation, the moderators will gather all the teams together to reflect upon the simulation, allowing participants to question each other about their thinking in reaching decisions. The moderators will issue awards to several of the best performing students.

What your donation will support

EWMI is raising funds to support a March 2027 pilot run of the simulation in selected high schools in Nebraska in partnership with the Nebraska Bar Foundation. Following the pilot simulation, EWMI will review it with the moderators and fine-tune the scenario and/or the format of the simulation as appropriate. EWMI will then seek to roll the program out to other U.S. regions and potentially to schools in other countries based on demand and available resources.

Your donation will allow the EWMI team to develop the scenario and simulation materials, make post-pilot adjustments to the approach in collaboration with the moderators and the Nebraska State Bar Foundation, and support a wider roll-out in additional states.