A Polyvalent Simulation of Military Intervention

Organized and operated by the French War College (École de Guerre), this practicum is a unique course open to students from multiple AUP master’s programs that offers participants the chance to engage in a real-time, evolving simulation of military intervention. Participants learn how to communicate under pressure with a variety of actors, how to provide coherent answers and how to work with one another to ensure a legal humanitarian response. “International humanitarian law informs humanitarian aid during any type of conflict situation,” says Professor Susan Perry, who organizes AUP’s participation in the event. 

The War College has roughly 250 students, around half of which are international and many of whom are being assessed through the simulation. AUP students initially work together with officers in the classroom throughout the planning process and implementation of the exercise. The coursework involves constructing military intervention and humanitarian action plans to provide relief for tens of thousands of civilians caught in the crossfires of war. The midterm, for example, involves developing a detailed camp evacuation strategy, which is then implemented during the final simulation: a fictionalized invasion of Normandy heavily informed by the war in Donbas.

MA in International Affairs

Students from several masters programs can take part in the École de Guerre practicum

Ecole de Guerre practicum

The practicum is organized and operated by the French War College

Ecole de Guerre practicum

Students work together on the planning and implementation of the exercise

Ecole de Guerre practicum

“It’s very detail-oriented and demanding,” says Professor Perry

Ecole de Guerre practicum

Several hundred École de Guerre officers spend three weeks preparing military intervention plans for a region in crisis.

Ecole de Guerre practicum

AUP students are assigned the role of international and NGO humanitarian aid workers on the ground in a conflict zone.

Ecole de Guerre

Students later put their plans into effect during a complex week-long computer-run simulation. AUP students take on two main roles: international affairs students work for humanitarian organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, while those more interested in journalism play media entities. “It’s very detail-oriented and demanding,” says Professor Perry. “Everything students do is extremely specific.” Possible roles include humanitarian workers on the ground in conflict zones and media professionals reporting from the scene.  

Caleb Klubben is doing an MSc in Human Rights and Data Science. During the simulation, he worked in animation, acting as an intermediary between the media team and the humanitarian team. He explains that the best part of the experience was working directly with professionals involved in security and defense, the field in which he hopes to have a career. “It was really strategic and hands-on and made me think on my feet,” said Caleb. “I wouldn’t have had that opportunity at another university.”