363-1050-00L  Simulation of Negotiations: Ukraine-Russia-European Union Relations

SemesterSpring Semester 2018
LecturersM. Ambühl
Periodicityyearly recurring course
CourseDoes not take place this semester.
Language of instructionEnglish


AbstractThe Global Studies Institute (University of Geneva) is organizing a simulation seminar on Ukraine-Russia-European Union relations in collaboration with SciencesPo Paris and the Chair of Negotiation and Conflict Management (ETH).
Learning objectiveStudents will have the possibility to participate in simulated diplomatic negotiations and to analyse and assess the negotiation logic behind the situation. During the course, they should gain insight in the relations between Ukraine, Russia and the European Union as well as on negotiation techniques in general.

The simulation is conducted in collaboration with experts and students during a two days seminar at the University of Geneva.
ContentIn the lectures, students will be provided with basic information on the relations between Ukraine, Russia and the European Union. The historical, political and socio-economic dimensions of these relations, including the various treaties and existing agreements and their evolution will be analyzed. Students will as well participate in an introduction on negotiation techniques, particularly on the negotiation engineering approach. On the basis of the comprehensive analysis, negotiation scenarii will be developed and subsequently tested during a two-day simulation exercise. The simulation exercise will be prepared with the help of experienced negotiators and experts.

The simulation exercise is intended for Masters degree and PhD students. The course will be taught in English. The project is headed by Prof. Micheline Calmy-Rey, Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva.

More details on the program, timetable, reading lists and performance assessment will be published here (ETH-login needed):
https://www.ethz.ch/content/specialinterest/mtec/necom/en/education.html

Students from ETH Zurich and Sciences Po will participate in the seminar sessions via video conferencing. They will come to Geneva for the session scheduled on 31 March and for the simulation exercise on 18 and 19 May 2017.

Dates/Time/Location
GE = University of Geneva;
VC = Video conference (ETH main building: HG D22)

21 February | 10:15-12:00 | 1. Indroductory session (VC)
28 February | 10:15-12:00 | 2. The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (VC)
7 March | 10:15-12:00 | 3. Implementation of the Minsk Protocol: security dimension (VC)
14 March | 10:15-12:00 | 4. Implementation of the Minsk Protocol: humanitarian aspects (VC)
21 March | 10:15-12:00 | 5. Implementation of the Minsk Protocol: political dimension, position of the separatist group (VC)
31 March | 10:30-17:30 | 6. Introduction to negotiation techniques and discussion on the modalities of the simulation and the set-up of the negotiation tables (GE, Uni Dufour, room 408)
4 April | 10:15-12:00 | 7. Implementation of the Minsk Protocol: political dimension, position of the European Union (VC)
11 April | 10:15-12:00 | 8. Preparation of the negotiation tables (VC)
18 May, 10:00-19:30; 19. May, 8:30 - 19:00 | 9. Simulation of negotiations (GE)
23 May 2017 | 10:15-12:00 | 10. Debriefing (VC)

In preparation of the simulation, students will prepare a half-page summary of their negotiation mandate and draft brief statements, if possible in collaboration with the permanent missions of the respective countries. After the simulation, a report and a press release have to be submitted by 23 May 2017.
(Technical note for registration: At this stage all registered students are on the waiting list)
Prerequisites / NoticeEvaluation:

I. Active participation in class (50%)

1. Attend all seminar sessions either in person or via videoconference and actively participate in discussions. If you cannot attend a session, please notify the teaching assistant in advance. In case of excessive absences, credit points will be reduced;
2. Participate in person in the session of 31 March 2017 and in the two-day simulation exercise (18 and 19 May);
3. Do the required readings and regularly read international newspapers (e.g. Financial Times, The New York Times, The Economist, NZZ).

II. Texts to be submitted before, during and after the simulation (50%)

1. Before the simulation: students will prepare a 4-5 pages summary of their negotiating mandate, including a summary of the position of all the parties (group evaluation). The negotiation mandate should not be longer than 5 pages and should be submitted by April 24.
2. During the simulation: students draft and present an introductory and final statement (group evaluation).
3. After the simulation: a report on the negotiation outcomes to the Organization, State or region they represent (3-4 pages) and a press release (max. 1 page) have to be submitted by 23 May 2017. The report and press release are individually evaluated.