On 2 May 2024, the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) partnered with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPACC) to stage a Peace Game simulation with representatives from non-governmental organizations, civil society representatives, local Quakers, and other UN stakeholders. While entirely fictional, the simulation was structured around tensions relating to Northeast Asia and designed as a diplomatic alternative to the crisis response scenarios frequently present in military war games.  

Facilitated by QUNO New York UN Representative Kavita Desai and AFSC Asia Policy Advocacy Coordinator Austin Headrick, this simulation was based upon the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), which recognizes the disproportionate impact conflict has on women and emphasizes the importance of women in preventing and resolving such conflicts, making peace negotiations, and providing humanitarian responses. Taking place during a fictional Northeast Asia Women, Peace, and Security Summit, participants took on the roles of various stakeholders, including UN Member States and nongovernmental organization representatives. Ms. Desai and Mr. Headrick served in the role of UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women and convening organization of the summit.  

The faux-summit challenged participants to advocate for the goals and interests of their respective roles while striving to cooperate to develop a Regional Action Plan to implement UNSCR 1325, mimicking the processes utilized by delegates and representatives. Through rounds of negotiations between parties, sidebar conversations, and quick adjustments to impactful world events inspired by news headlines, participants attempted to reach consensus on the points of the Action Plan.  

“I was very glad to see the participants each bring their unique expertise into the simulation and engage so actively,” Mr. Headrick said. “I hope all of the participants left having gleaned some insights or new learning about building consensus from their experience that they can take back into their work.” 

This simulation was a continuation of a pilot in which QUNO NY participated in December 2023. Learn more about this pilot installment here.