Pax Ludens is a non-profit organization specialized in training and research on international conflict and crisis management

Crisis management

Crisis management is the process by which an organization deals with a major event that threatens to harm the organization, its stakeholders, or the general public. The study of crisis management originated with the large scale industrial and environmental disasters in the 1980's.Shrivastava, P....

. The mission of the organization is to help future decision makers tackle complex international political dynamics and excel in conflict management. The core activities are described as the design and execution of seminars and simulation

Simulation

Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....

 exercises based on real and current case studies in the field of International Relations

International relations

International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...

 and conflict resolution

Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution is conceptualized as the methods and processes involved in facilitating the peaceful ending of some social conflict. Often, committed group members attempt to resolve group conflicts by actively communicating information about their conflicting motives or ideologies to the rest...

. The programs offered challenge participants to explore various international political conflict scenarios and deal with crisis and conflict situations as events unfold.

Key partners

• The Clingendael institute
• The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies
• The Turkish Ministry of Foreign affairs
• Delft Technical University
• The Netherlands Ministry of Defence staff training college
• The University of Amsterdam
• Webster University
  Webster University
  Webster University is an American non-profit private university with its main campus in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Webster University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools...
  
   Leiden and London
• University College Utrecht
  University College Utrecht
  University College Utrecht is an international Honors College of Utrecht University . UCU is a selective liberal arts, undergraduate college of 700 students within Utrecht University. Located between the two UU sites, Uithof and City Center, it has its own residential campus in the city of...
  
  
• The University of Monterrey, Mexico
• Vrede van Utrecht

Simulations as learning tools

The world of International Relations is demanding more in-depth knowledge about how and why international dynamics unfold in the way they do. The world today is more complex than ever before, the relationships governing inter-and intrastate (conflict) management have led many to appreciate the multi-disciplinary character of International Relations. The challenge for teaching institutions is evident: what is the most adequate methods to stimulate effective learning processes? To connect disciplines in a new and meaningful way.

Scenarios

Some example of the scenarios used are:

• Greater Middle East
• Caucasus
• Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• Good governance in Africa
• UN Security Council

Publications

• Mans and Shimshon. Knowledge creation and transfer in the military. Journal of International Negotiations. Publication forthcoming 2010.
• Mans, Shimshon, Suransky and Hilst. Baby-sitting or bird watching? The Role of Supervision in IR Simulation Exercises. In Organizing and Learning through Gaming and Simulation Igor Mayer & Hanneke Mastik (eds.) 2008.
• Mans, Shimshon, Suransky and Hilst. How to InterACT in conflict settings - The Role of Supervision in IR Simulation Exercises. In: Igor Mayer & Hanneke Mastik (eds.) 2007, Organizing and Learning through Gaming and Simulation, Proceedings of Isaga 2007, Eburon, Delft
• Mans and Shimshon. International Conflict Management “Analysis & Intervention” Training Manual. Clingendael Institute & Pax Ludens. 2005.
• Suransky, Leonard (1983) “International Relations Games and Simulations.” In The Guide to Simulations/Games for Education and Training, edited by Robert Horn and Anne Cleaves. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
• Suransky, Leonard. (1980) The Play of Consciousness and Educational Praxis – a Phenomenology of Learning with the Middle East Conflict Simulation Game. USA: University of Michigan Ann Arbour