RIBÓ LABASTIDA Alejandro & WEILER Quentin - Simulation Game: EU International Crisis Response (30h)
In this immersive simulation exercise, students will tackle the task of crafting a unified strategy to address international security crises impacting the European Union (EU). Participants will step into various roles within EU institutions, Member State delegations, or the media.
Within these roles, students will engage in negotiations to formulate a comprehensive EU crisis response based on EU policies, instruments and mechanisms in crisis management and external action. These negotiations will unfold in both formal settings — such as Council meetings of a Geographical Working Group (WG), the Political and Security Committee (PSC), the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) and the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) — and informal discussions throughout the week.
The negotiation process will culminate in the creation of four key documents:
- An Options Paper, detailing potential strategies for a comprehensive EU response.
- Council Conclusions, articulating the EU’s stance on the crisis.
- One (or more Decision(s) specifying the Union response under Title V Chapter 2 (CFSP) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU).
- A Press Release, summarizing the outcomes of the FAC meeting.
Given that decisions within the Common Foreign and Security Policy/Common Security and Defence Policy (CFSP/CSDP) frameworks are highly political and require unanimous agreement, the negotiation process is often intense, intricate, and time sensitive. This exercise will deepen students' understanding of the EU’s external action through hands-on experience.
At the end of this course, the student will better equipped to:
- grasp the intricacies of decision-making in EU foreign policy and, particularly, EU external security crisis response;
- conduct research, articulate, and defend a position;
- hone political analysis and writing skills;
- experience real-world diplomacy, the art of compromise and public communication;
- collaborate effectively in a team, even under tight deadlines;
- enhance drafting, communication and negotiation skills.
This exercise provides a practical platform for students to apply theoretical knowledge gained in other courses, offering a holistic understanding of EU foreign policy and crisis response.
Professors: Alejandro Ribó Labastida & Quentin Weiler