Arab-Israeli Conflict Simulation

The Arab-Israeli Conflict Simulation (AIC) ended as of April 2024. Thanks to everyone who has taken part since its inception in 1983!!

A Note to Teachers:

What does it mean to have the Arab-Israeli Conflict simulation in times like these, with the region in turmoil, so many lives lost, and hostages still in captivity?

It’s a good question.

Our hope is that participating in our simulation offers students a pathway to *begin* to appreciate the human and geopolitical complexity of the Middle East, and to hopefully ask better questions about why things are as they are.

Our hope is that by seeing the region through the eyes of key stakeholders that we can learn more and develop a richer understanding of the deep-seated conflicts between Israel and Palestine.

Our hope is that the simulation offers a useful step in the direction of seeing how the world looks to someone else, and in the direction of supporting engaged global citizens who develop greater intellectual curiosity and resist easy answers.

Finally, the Arab-Israeli Conflict simulation is not a conflict resolution activity, but is instead a conflict exploration activity, and my hope is that by playing seriously we offer students a mechanism through which they can learn with their hearts as well as their heads, and put their creativity in the service of building a more empathic understanding of our world.

As the project director, I take very seriously the sacred trust that teachers place in us when they elect to take part in the Arab-Israeli Conflict simulation, and in partnership with those teachers we endeavor to create a safe space to inquire, a brave space to ask questions, and a community in which we might all dream thoughtfully of a better day. I hope you’ll join us. Jeff Stanzler/Project Director

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The Arab-Israeli Conflict Simulation (AIC) is a political and diplomatic character-playing exercise. Its purpose is to immerse participants in the dynamics of national and international politics — and thereby help them to become aware of the complex nature of political reality. AIC enables participants to experience actively, rather than observe passively, complex political activity. The goal is to make learning both profound and enduring.

You can view a series of videoclips designed to help teachers understand and use this simulation.

AIC has been the mainstay of the Interactive Communications & Simulations (ICS) program of the University of Michigan School of Education since ICS was founded in the early 1980’s.

The composition of the simulation currently encompasses 16 three-character teams. The key states and political organizations involved in the conflict are represented, including the United States and other UN Security Council permanent members. Depending on how many students are involved, and the curricular space a teacher can allot to the simulation, each school group is assigned a number of teams. Typically, anywhere from three to six students work together to represent one team. A staff of trained university mentors, under the supervision of the project directors, provides frequent updates, feedback and guidance to the teams.

All of the roles represented in the simulation are high level governmental or political figures and are current (or in a few cases, contemporary) office holders. Therefore, the simulation is based on the highly dynamic, and dramatic, context of the current reality.

How to Join

AIC runs twice a year, mid-September until early December and late January through April. To join us, sign up here.

Resources

AIC Teachers Guide W2023 in Brief
AIC Conversations: a series of videoclips designed to help teachers understand and use this simulation