The interaction between negotiation research and simulations: the Caucasus and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Based on experiences from an academic-level course, this article analyses how simulation games can offer an added value to the traditional teaching methods at University, combining theory and practical experience as a learning tool. Central in this course is the exchange between literature and practice, between regular students and practitioner students. Another aspect that is unique in this course is the combination of professors who teach the academic aspects of the course with guest lecturers who are conducting the peace negotiations on behalf of their country. At the end of the course a simulation game on negotiation and mediation in the intractable conflict over the status of Nagorno Karabakh, situated in the Caucasus, takes place. In this little known conflict multiple parties are involved, such as states, a de facto state and international intergovernmental organisations. Cultural differences as ethnicity, language, and history before and during the Soviet Union play a role in the conflict. Qualified mediators are involved as supervisors during the simulation. The simulation consists of 10 parallel sessions of 30 students each. This makes it possible to have different outcomes, based on the same negotiation case and compare the outcomes of the negotiations with the students as a learning tool.