Simulation exercises

Activities performed or played within the framework of specific rules and objectives which are designed to create situations similar to real life in order to raise awareness of the issues and to prepare the participants to deal with them. Often involving role playing.[Advantages]

Can be good to involve the participants who can even be motivated to additional voluntary work outside formal discussions. Actual decisions need to be made in most simulation games and the consequences become clearly revealed; and immediate feedback is possible. Critical examination and learning from the experience of playing can prove very powerful in exploring and influencing attitudes. The enjoyment of playing can create a favourable atmosphere at the conference.

[Disadvantages]

Some participants may not wish to participate for fear of making fools of themselves. There are often different degrees of seriousness in the group. Some games are under-prepared, poorly administrated and/or inappropriate or irrelevant to the conference. Can be counter-productive by distracting or irritating participants. Very heavy on time consumption and can dominate conversation long after the game is over.