For many people, the word “simulation” brings to mind training programs used by pilots, doctors and nurses, to prepare for the real thing. But roleplay simulations are different, because they involve actively stepping into someone else’s shoes and gaining understanding through that experience. Roleplay simulations are likewise similar to LARP’s (Live Action Role Plays), but in general lean more toward present day, real-world scenarios and anticipate more specific problem solving and learning outcomes. The most well known example of a roleplay simulation is perhaps the “Model United Nations”. Over a period of several days, participants in a Model UN course remain in their chosen/assigned role, even outside of sessions. In this way they gain first hand experience of decision-making processes, as well as gain an understanding of the role of UN representatives and the challenges they face. In more recent times, EU specific “models” have also arisen, and there now exists a great variation held annually or on a smaller scale around the world.

The Model UN/EU is just one popular example of how the roleplay simulation method can be used, and its uses need not be political or even so formal at all. But equal to all roleplay simulations is that they need to be well executed, in order to be effective. The longer and more detailed simulations are, and the larger the groups involved become, the greater a set of skills is needed for a facilitator to be able to stay on top of events. Although there are many aspects to designing, planning and executing roleplay simulations successfully, we want to take the first few steps with this training, where we will focus on the role playing dimension in particular.