Twice a year, PeaceGame brings together the leading minds in national security policy, international affairs, academia, business, and media to “game out” peaceful resolutions to serious conflicts, approaching these events with as much weight and urgency as war games. In doing so, the seeks to redefine how we think about conflict resolution and the possibility of peace.
For the first time this year, PeaceGame engaged the next generation of foreign policy leaders at the Future Diplomats PeaceGame, a collaboration between the Foreign Policy Group, the Emirates Diplomatic Academy and Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, with the generous support of the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Running from 1 to 2 November, 2017 in Abu Dhabi, the Future Diplomats PeaceGame brought together a select group of students from leading diplomatic academies across 21 countries and five continents. focusing on emerging foreign policy challenges, the Future Diplomats PeaceGame took on the topic of cyber threats.
The first day of the event was dedicated to training with some of the leading experts in cyber security, defense, and diplomacy. Sessions focused on the critical issues in this rapidly evolving field of international relations, with a special emphasis on the interaction with broader foreign policy challenges.
On Day 2, the future diplomats took on the role of key international stakeholders, navigating a series of simulated cyber events with the potential to escalate into full-blown conflict that required them to explore ways in which they could advance their country’s interests, while achieving a peaceful outcome. The moderated discussions were presided over by a panel that combined decades of experience at the highest levels in both cyber security and diplomacy, providing expert commentary and context throughout the proceedings.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Mohamed Abushahab, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Belgium and the European Union, and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy, called on the participants “to challenge preconceived notions and positions …and to demonstrate that with some creative thinking and the right approach and attitude, alternative solutions can be reached.”
He also highlighted the unique opportunity presented by taking on a relatively novel issue like cybersecurity, “lacking the same rigid structures and old thinking that prevails elsewhere.”
The 2017 class of future diplomats also had the opportunity to interact with and learn from foreign policy experts, including His Excellency Radosław Sikorski, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, His Excellency Nabil Fahmy, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Her Excellency Baroness Catherine Ashton, former High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and First Vice President of the European Commission, His Excellency Jean-David Levitte, former Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations and Ambassador to the United States.
For his part, His Excellency Bernardino León, Director General of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy, said: “The Future Diplomats PeaceGame served as a powerful tool for helping trainee diplomats to understand the potential of diplomacy in maintaining international peace. It was also a great opportunity for participants from around the world to form lasting bonds with their peers from other countries.”
Jonathan Tepperman, Foreign Policy’s Editor-in-Chief, said: “this new chapter of the PeaceGame, as we expand our partnerships to invest in the young leaders who will help shape our future.”
Mohammed Al Dhaheri, one of the participants of the PeaceGame, said: “Being part of this event for the first time proved to be a revelation. I was able to appreciate and experience first-hand the challenges in dealing with people with different perspectives. It taught me that an understanding of varied world views is critical to finding a common space where we can cooperate to arrive at a solution that works for all of us.”
