JHU SAIS to Host International Crisis Simulation for D.C. High School Students
More than 80 District of Columbia public high school students will participate in "Crisis Simulation 2002" on Saturday, 03/9 at the Johns Hopkins Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
This year's crisis simulation involves the internal conflict in Sri Lanka and focuses on the issues of autonomy, refugees and the reintegration of militia groups within that country. Students from six D.C. high schools have formed teams representing internal Sri Lankan organizations, interested foreign governments, NGOs, and U.N. agencies.
SAIS graduate students act as coaches for each school delegation. The coaches have met with their students several times in the weeks leading up to the event. Working closely with high school faculty sponsors, the coaches familiarize students with the crisis and the country they represent, in addition to teaching basic negotiation and conflict resolution skills. On the day of the event at SAIS, the coaches act as mentors for their respective delegations.
The crisis simulation provides students with knowledge about international affairs, public speaking skills and conflict negotiation experience. SAIS D.C. Student Outreach, the graduate school's community service group, hosts the event. More than 50 SAIS students have been involved in organizing and running the event.
The following is a list of schools and the organization(s) their delegation will represent at the event: Anacostia Senior High School (Human Rights Watch, People's Alliance), Benjamin Banneker Academic High School (Tamil Alliance Party, United National Party) Cesar Chavez School for Public Policy (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), Cardozo Senior High School (International Red Cross), Duke Ellington High School (U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees) and Eastern High School (India).
Odd Magne Ruud, second secretary of the political section at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, has been invited to open the event. Norway has been instrumental in negotiating a resolution to the conflict in Sri Lanka and played a crucial role in the cease-fire announced the week of 02/18.
The crisis simulation will take place on 03/9 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The schedule is as follows:
9:15-10 a.m. - Opening ceremony in Rome Building Auditorium
10a.m.-3:15p.m. - Committee negotiation sessions throughout the Rome Building
3:30-5 p.m. - General assembly and closing ceremony in Nitze Building, Kenney Auditorium.
The Rome Building in located at 1619 Massachusetts Ave., NW and the Nitze Building is located at 1740 Massachusetts Ave., NW.
Members of the media who want to cover this event should contact Felisa Neuringer Klubes in the SAIS Public Affairs Office at 202.663.5626 or [email protected].