The Scholarship of Engagement for Politics: - Higher Education ...

Preparing to Work in Conflict: An NGO Perspective
assessment, comparing these observations with those of the observer. The
individual debrief results in an action plan outlining areas for further
development (see Appendix 7.3). In this way, not only do the participants
have a concrete assessment of skills but they have also developed steps
forward to improve their weaker areas.
Simulation exercises have an intrinsic value in and of themselves.
The participant becomes the object of their own study. A rare opportunity
is provided in which individuals are challenged in new ways and then given
the space for self-reflection on how they performed. Someone who thought
they would remain calm in all situations becomes flustered when presented
with something unexpected. Someone who thought they weren’t a team
player becomes the one who holds the team together when under pressure.
These personal insights, guided by highly skilled observers, are as valuable
for personal development as for gauging suitability for conflict work.
Simulation sets individuals on paths that take them beyond the borders of
their academic study into thinking about not just what they know but what
they can do.
Conclusion
Including a practical aspect to an academic course bridges the gap between
success in the classroom and effectiveness in the field. The training enables
students to think through whether conflict work is for them and, if it is, the
types of work to which they might be suited. It provides the opportunity to
work with and receive advice from peacebuilding practitioners who bring
to the course the day-to-day challenges of peacebuilding. The use of
simulation in conjunction with practical training sessions provides an
effective and personalised way for students to gain practical insights into
the realities and challenges of conflict work.
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