The simulation deals with the relation of climate and security. It is set in the year 2025 and takes place within the framework of the United Nation Security Council (UNSC). An acute crisis has erupted in Central Asia around the use of increasingly scarce water resources, attributed by many observers to the effect of climate change. In the first round, the UNSC will therefore discuss how to respond to this situation and to what extent references to climate change should be included in the resolution. The second round of the simulation is dedicated to a general debate about the role of the UNSC in addressing the connection between climate and security.
Scenario & procedure
The simulation game consists of two parts. During the first round, the UNSC will deal with the response to an acute crisis situation in the Ferghana Valley in Central Asia. Already existing tensions about the access to water resources (fictionally) escalated after a serious drought, leading to inter-ethnic violence and a cross-border conflict. According to many observers, climate change has contributed to the driving factors of the conflict and several countries would like to name this link in the resolution of the UNSC. During the second round, it is discussed if the climate and security nexus should become part of the UNSC agenda, and if yes, in which way. Participants are taking over the role of diplomatic representatives of the UNSC member states and will try to find common solutions in the negotiations.
Objectives
Participants will get an insight in contemporary debates concerning the relation of climate change and security. They will gain a better understanding on how effects of climate change can influence conflict dynamics and what strategies are under discussion to contribute to an effective conflict prevention. Apart from that, the participants will learn more about how negotiation processes work on an international level and can improve their negotiation skills for finding common ground.
Learning Goals
- Understanding contemporary global developments regarding climate policies with regards to national and international security
- Insights into the decision making processes in the frame of the UNSC
- Learning to deal with varying national interests in an international context
