Becoming a Diplomat: An introduction to the ICONS International System Negotiation Simulation

1. Becoming a Diplomat:An introduction to the ICONS International System Negotiation Simulation Spring 2007

2. What is an ICONS simulation? ICONS simulations: • allow students to take on the roles of policymakers • task students with addressing controversial global issues in these roles • provide an online forum for students from participating schools around the world to discuss these issues in depth, with the goal of negotiating agreements that address core interests

3. Learning Objectives • Increase knowledge about the countries involved in the negotiations • Enhance appreciation of the issues being explored in the negotiation • Expand understanding of the factors that can drive foreign-policy decisions • Hone skills related to conflict resolution, teamwork, critical thinking, and communication

4. Process of the ICONS Simulation • Three distinct phases of the exercise: • Simulation preparation • Online negotiations • Post-simulation reflection

5. Preparation: Country Teams • Your instructor will inform you which country you will represent in the negotiation • Each country is represented by a team of students from a class • Within your country-team, each student should develop an expertise in one of the three issue areas in the negotiation: • International terrorism • Debt and economic development • International public health

6. Preparation: The Issues International Terrorism • What are effective counter-terrorism strategies that the international community could employ to reduce the chance of future terrorist attacks? • How can and should the international community respond to countries that directly or indirectly support international terrorism?

7. Preparation: The Issues Economic Debt and Development • Should some or all countries in the international community be offered debt forgiveness? • Are free trade systems desirable for the international community? Should there be some limits to free trade?

8. Preparation: The Issues International Public Health • How can the international system balance the real costs of health treatments and the real need for such treatments around the world? • What are the most appropriate and effective ways to prevent the spread of deadly diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria and cholera?

9. Preparation: Available Resources • In order to help you become an expert, you’ll have access to resources from the ICONS website: www.icons.umd.edu • Resources include: • Scenario: outlines the context and issues of the negotiation • Country Resources: provides introductory material about the countries involved in the negotiation and links to more information • Research Library: includes links to a range of sources relevant to the issues of the negotiation

10. Preparation: Goals Before the online negotiations begin, each country-team should be able to: • Explain the core national interests of the country it represents • Describe the country’s objectives related to the three issue areas • Outline key provisions that you would like included in (or excluded from) proposals related to each issue • Identify which other countries in the negotiation will likely be allies or opponents • Explain how you plan to achieve your country’s goals (that is, explain your strategy)

11. Preparation: Assignments • [INSTRUCTOR TO ADD DETAILS ABOUT ASSIGNMENT AND DUE DATES HERE]

12. Online Negotiations: Expectations • Online negotiations begin on Monday, March 6 • Each team is expected to log in at www.icons.umd.edu on March 6 to begin sending and reading messages with other teams • Teams need to check messages every day during the three weeks of the negotiations, and respond and post new messages as appropriate

13. Online Negotiations: Message Exchanges • Messaging is the primary way that countries will negotiate with one another • All students are expected to use professional, diplomatic language in these exchanges • Exchanges will be monitored by a Simulation Controller (SimCon), an ICONS staff member who makes sure teams are staying in role • Team members will have to decide how they will manage the message traffic

14. Sample Welcome Messages in ICONSnet Teams retrieve messages by clicking here

15. Sample Outgoing Message in ICONSnet Teams compose messages by clicking here

16. Online Negotiations: My Team • Options under the My Team tab allow you to message just with other members of your team • Use this feature to facilitate discussion of planning, strategy, and how you plan to manage the negotiations • Always remember to check for new My Team messages when you log in

17. Sample “My Team” List of Messages Review messages from and send messages to your teammates here

18. Online Negotiations: Conferences • Messages will be supplemented by conferences • Conferences are • Real-time exchanges among all teams • 60-minute sessions • Held at pre-scheduled times • Focused on one of the 3 issue areas • Chaired by SimCon

19. Online Negotiations: Conference Schedule • There are two conferences for each issue area • At least one representative from each country-team must attend each conference Click here for your conference schedule Click on specific date/time to convert from GMT to local time!

20. Online Negotiations: Proposals • Discussions among teams should lead to the generation of Proposals related to the specified negotiation questions • Any team may submit proposals using the Proposal Center beginning on Day of the simulation • Prior to submitting, review the Proposal Criteria (under the Resources) tab • If proposals don’t meet these criteria, SimCon will not approve them for review by other teams

21. Online Negotiations: Proposal Phases

22. Post-Simulation Reflection: Assignments • [INSTRUCTOR TO ADD DETAILS ABOUT ASSIGNMENT AND DUE DATES HERE]

23. Where to Get Help • For general questions about using the ICONSnet system, click the Help link • For lost passwords, contact your teacher • For questions about the negotiation specifics, send an ICONS Message to SimCon • GOOD LUCK!